Just Starting Oration, Indomaret Demo Is Disbanded Gegara Ancol Residents Afraid Of COVID-19

Labor demo (Photo: Diah Ayu / VOI)

JAKARTA - A number of workers who are members of the Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers Unions (FSPMI) gathered in front of the Jakarta Branch Office, PT Indomarco Prismatama, Ancol, North Jakarta.

They gathered to hold an action demanding that Indomaret pay the 2020 THR in full and ask one of the former Indomaret employees, Anwar Bessy to return to work.

At 11.00 WIB, demonstrators began to line up and unfurled banners reading "Boycott Indomaret or #bebasAnwarBessy". The command car was parked in front of the Indomaret office.

A total of 150 joint personnel of the TNI, Polri, and Satpol PP carry out security. Apadat asked workers to arrange lines neatly in order to keep traffic smooth.

"We are the Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers Unions, as we have conveyed to the public, that our struggle and our defense of Anwar Bessy was criminalized by Indomarco. Today we held demonstrations at the head office and in its warehouses," said the President of FSPMI, Riden. Hatam Aziz when met at the location, Thursday, May 27.

Oration only started about 5 minutes. Suddenly, a number of local residents approached the crowd. They reject demonstrations in their neighborhood because they are worried about the transmission of COVID-19.

"We are fighting the COVID virus. This is how they came, outsiders, making a crowd here. So, this is what we reject," said the Head of RW 01, Ancol Urban Village, Asmawar.

Asmawar admitted that he did not blame the workers' actions in voicing demands. It's just that residents don't want crowds in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the demonstrators have not yet tested for COVID-19.

"Don't crowd. It will become a new cluster. We don't want it. Our responsibility towards the environment. Disband this action. If you channel your aspirations, channel them in a good way," he continued.

Continuing, Pademangan Police Chief AKP Panji Ali Candra agreed with the wishes of Ancol residents who did not want crowds.

In fact, he said, the local COVID-19 Handling Task Force had prepared a free antigen swab kit for the action participants. However, the demonstrators preferred to disperse the action.

"When there is a crowd, our COVID Task Force has prepared medical personnel and antigen swab kits. However, the protesters finally agreed that they would disperse in an orderly manner," said Panji.

After negotiating for about 15 minutes, the protesters finally disbanded. Currently, the workers and security forces have left the location.