This Is The Reason Why The Police Disbanded Labor Action On UMP At DKI City Hall

Masses of workers demonstration at DKI City Hall (Diah Ayu/VOI)

Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Kombes Susatyo Purnomo Condro explained the reason for his officers to disperse demonstrations by labor groups regarding the 2024 provincial minimum wage (UMP) in front of the DKI Jakarta City Hall. Susatyo revealed that the action of workers demanding an increase in the 2024 UMP by 15 percent was forcibly dispersed because it did not run in an orderly manner and ended in chaos. "On behalf of the law, we need to disband this action because it is not in accordance with the provisions, we have started to destroy it," said Susatyo at the location, Tuesday, November 21. The main trigger for the forced dispersal of the action was because workers broke into the fence of the DKI Jakarta City Hall, which is Heru Budi's workplace. In fact, if the action goes in an orderly manner, the masses can still continue their action until 18.00 WIB according to regulations. "We never prohibit. We only convey, for whatever aspiration it is conveyed in an orderly manner. We provide space and services to the community who will convey their aspirations," he explained. The demonstration by the labor group regarding the 2024 UMP did not go according to their expectations. The action in front of the DKI Jakarta City Hall was forcibly dispersed by the police before knowing the value of the 2024 UMP from the DKI Provincial Government. This action has been held since this afternoon. They are waiting for the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono to announce an increase in the UMP next year. However, for hours of waiting, the determination of the UMP has not yet been issued. At around 15.00 WIB, workers tried to break into the fence of the DKI City Hall which was Heru Budi's workplace. They continued to shake the fence while oding until 15:15 WIB the fence broke. Police officers who were on guard from the DKI City Hall yard immediately moved forward blocking access from the broken fence. The fence that was successfully occupied by the workers was then taken to the middle of the road, before being finally secured by the authorities. Before long, the police immediately deployed a water canon car and a mob dispersal car. In front of the workers, the police who wore helmets and shields formed a line trying to push the masses back. Several workers tried to refuse to move from the front of Heru Budi's office by sitting cross-legged in front of the police. Central Jakarta Police Chief Kombes Pol Susatyo Purnomo Condro finally instructed them to disperse. "I ask for action to disperse. This action is anarchic. This action has carried out destruction, according to our law to disperse this action," said Susatyo through a loudspeaker at the location of the action.

The longer the police line continued to approach the workers to force them to withdraw. Expressing their disappointment, one by one the workers finally left the location. The command car brought by workers is preparing to leave Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan. Other workers began to turn on motorbikes parked on the side of the road. Expressing his frustration, one of them carried the exhaust of the motorbike until it was noisy and emitted smoke towards the police.