President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal, said on Friday, October 18, 2024, that members of labor union and trade union confederations across the country have agreed to stage a massive national strike in November.
Said Iqbal, who is also President of the Labor Party, said that the national strike is planned to be held either on November 11-12 or November 25-26, 2024, involving millions of workers in over 15,000 factories across Indonesia.
“The sectors involved include the transportation industry, cement, tourism, cigarettes, food, beverages, as well as port workers in Medan, Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Emas, and a number of other ports in Indonesia,” Said Iqbal said on Friday, October 18, 2024.
He cited the two main issues that workers would pursue in the national strike, namely an increase in the minimum wage in 2025 by eight to 10 percent and the revocation of the Omnibus Law (Job Creation Law).
Said Iqbal said the strike is designed to halt production in thousands of factories across Indonesia’s industrial estates in 38 provinces and more than 350 regencies/cities. All workers, both those who are members of labor unions and those who are not, are welcome to participate in the strike.
He cited that rallies will be held in front of factories in industrial areas, as well as in various government offices such as the offices of regents, mayors, governors, local councils, the State Palace, and the House of Representatives.
“This is an action simultaneously held throughout Indonesia. We ask the public to understand the situation and avoid the locations of the rallies as they might disrupt the traffic,” Said Iqbal said.
Iqbal appealed to all workers who will participate in the national strike to maintain order and peace during the action.
“There should be no violence, damages incurred, or arson of any kind. This is a holy struggle that must be carried out in a good and constitutional manner,” he said.
