Batam Re-conducive Over Workers Demonstrations

Batam Mayor's Office Glass Break Due Anarchist Demonstrations (kepri.antaranews.com/josengbie)

Situation in Batam, Riau Islands province re-conducive after two days the workers held anarchist demonstrations with incidents of arson and destruction of public facilities, vehicles and police stations.

Tens of thousands of batam workers demonstrations on Wednesday (23/11) and Thursday (24/11) 2012 demanding a minimum wage, Rp1,76 million, equal to the number of needs of decent living.

Information gathered, the situation the city streets seemed deserted. Shops and shopping malls remain open as usual despite previously had word got out there will be protests continued on the third day, Friday.

Shopping centers such as the Super Block at Nagoya Hill, Batam City Square, shops and restaurants still visited by buyers, including the Singapore-based foreign tourists who vacation in Batam.

Batam situation is relatively normal, only in Batam near City Mayor's Office on Wednesday and Thursday of this week became the center of the protests of workers, many restaurants, shops, restaurants and Mega Mall Batam Centre, closed since the morning because the news came on the day of the demonstration will occur the third.

Meanwhile, in the Office of the Mayor of Batam last meeting between the Mayor Ahmad Dahlan, the police and military officials to discuss the minimum wage of 2012.

Batam Mayor Ahmad Dahlan said the minimum wage in 2012 submitted to the Governor of the Riau Islands of Rp1, 302 million, equal to the rate based on the needs of decent living survey Wages Councils.

Nevertheless, the mayor of the proposals also include the minimum wage proposal from the city of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) amounting to Rp1, 26 million and the proposed minimum wage workers Rp1, 76 million.

Apindo propose a minimum wage of Rp1, 26 million with the reason the industry is being affected by the economic crisis in Europe, as well as flooding in Bangkok, Thailand which causes the components to be assembled in Batam inhibited.

While the workers filed minimum wage rates equal to demand decent living based on an agreement in 2010, that the 2012 minimum wage rates will apply the same as the needs of decent living.

"Determination of the minimum wage, according to the mayor, will be decided by the Governor of Riau Islands," the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Saiful Badri, Chairman of Confederation of All Indonesian (KSPSI) Batam City denied employee representatives have agreed KHL 2011 survey results by Wage Council of the City of Rp1, 302 million.

"We have indeed been signed, but by no means approve," he said as quoted kepri.antaranews.com portal.

KSPSI addition, workers' representatives in negotiations UMK 2012 and is the Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers Union (FSPMI) and the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers (KSBSI).

All three trade unions / workers it stated the amount of Rp1, 76 million as a figure worthy of a real life.

If the Governor decides UMK 2012 to Batam Rp1, 302 million, will discuss with KSBSI FSPMI and FSPMI its alliances with the interests of improving the welfare of workers.

"We fought and to be prepared with any that must be faced in the struggle," he said.