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Jakarta. Tens of thousands of Indonesian workers are taking to the streets on Thursday, staging mass protests in Jakarta and several industrial cities to demand better labor conditions, higher wages, and an end to outsourcing practices. 

The demonstrations, organized by the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and the Labor Party, are centered around the House of Representatives (DPR) building. Organizers estimate between 10,000 and 50,000 workers will join the Jakarta rally, while simultaneous actions are planned in industrial hubs such as Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, Batam, and Makassar.

The protests highlight six major demands: an end to outsourcing and low wages, a halt to mass layoffs with the creation of a special task force to manage job cuts, labor tax reforms, including raising the non-taxable income threshold to Rp 7.5 million ($465) per month and removing taxes on severance pay, holiday bonuses, and retirement savings. Workers are also pushing for the passage of an asset confiscation bill to combat corruption, the Labor Bill, and revisions to election laws ahead of the 2029 general elections

Earlier this week, protests outside the DPR escalated into chaos on Monday after demonstrators rejected a proposed increase in lawmakers’ allowances. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, detaining 312 protesters, including 205 minors.

Ahead of Thursday’s rally, Jakarta police have deployed 4,531 personnel from the police, military, and local agencies.

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