Thousands of Indonesian workers on Tuesday rallied in several cities to protest against a law that they say curtails their rights.
The parliament on Monday passed the “job creation” bill, which the government said was designed to attract investment and cut red tape for businesses.
The so-called omnibus law includes sweeping changes to existing legislation, including on labour and investment.
Labour unions say the bill will make it easier for employers to fire workers and pay lower severance.
“The legislation also makes it easier for companies to outsource jobs and hire employees on short-term contracts without affording staff benefits,’’ they said.
The law also relaxed a requirement for companies to produce an analysis on the environmental impact of their activities, raising ecological concerns.
According to them, the previous labour law places too much burden on employers, making it a disincentive to investment.
“Reject the omnibus law!” read a poster waved by a protester in Bekasi, just east of Jakarta.
“The law will only make workers more miserable,” said another.
Police blocked the protesters from marching to the parliament complex in central Jakarta, citing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Rallies were also held in the city of Bandung and industrial towns surrounding the capital, Jakarta.
