Labor activists get cash donation

National News - August 31, 2006

JAKARTA: Eight activists of the Confederation of All-Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI) who are under house arrest in connection with violent rallies outside the House of Representatives on May 3 have each received Rp 3 million in cash aid from a minister.

KSPSI deputy chairman Hikayat Atika Karwa said that despite the humanitarian aid from Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Erman Suparno, the activists would not drop their struggle with the government over its proposed changes to the 2003 Labor Law.

"We thank for the minister for his attention to the activists and their families, but we'll continue opposing the planned revision of the labor law," he said while witnessing the handover of the humanitarian aid here on Tuesday.

Atika said the eight activists were required to report to the police every day because their case was still open.

"We are still lobbying the police and the government to have them freed," he said. --JP