Striking workers attacked
Striking workers at plastics manufacturing company PT Mepoly, near Surabaya in East Java, were attacked by hired thugs and police on November 1. The company employs some 600 workers, 50% of whom are women.
Two trucks filled with company thugs drove directly into a picket line in front of the factory, scattering workers and seriously injuring at least four of them. The workers later regrouped and were joined by workers from nearby factories. The thugs then retreated into the factory grounds, before security forces attacked the picket line, beating and arresting up to 50 workers.
A statement by the Indonesian National Front for Labour Struggle (FNPBI) — one of a number of trade unions and democratic organisations leading the strike — said the use of violence against striking workers and people's actions in general is to protect the political and economic interests of the owners of domestic and international capital. The FNPBI has called for an end to such violence, for immediate action be taken against the management of PT Mepoly and its hired thugs, and for the release of all worker activists detained during the strike.
Taxi drivers strike
Following a strike by drivers from the Surabaya Taxi company in Surabaya on November 1, around 200 drivers from Srikandi Taxis went on strike and rallied at the provincial parliament.
According to the Detik news service, the drivers are protesting against the introduction of a new commission system. Drivers are paid a percentage of their fares which increases in proportion to the amount collected. The new system will require drivers to collect almost twice as much to receive the same percentage. They were also protesting against harsh working conditions, lack of spare parts and indiscriminate sackings.
Supermarket employees strike
Thousands of employees from up to 60 branches of the giant Hero supermarket chain across Java and Bali struck on November 1, forcing the closure of some stores.
According to Detik, the workers were demanding higher transportation and lunch allowances, as well as higher salaries. They were also protesting against the enormous salary difference between junior and senior management.
Sugeng Wahyudi, the strike coordinator, said that Hero failed to pay workers the minimum regional wage set by the government. He added, "A number of employees in other branches have been intimidated — if they went ahead with today's action, they would be fired".
Students demand Wahid's resignation
Some 100 members of the Association of Muslim Students protested outside the Presidential Palace on October 31 demanding that President Abdurrahman Wahid step down.
The students said that Wahid had failed to carry out reforms or deal with separatist conflicts, and that corruption had flourished under his government. They also said that the trial of former president Suharto is just a political ploy.