Women workers' day in Indonesia: anger against Nestle is growing, women workers demand to reinstate 53 union members in Panjang, solidarity actions in five cities
On International Women's Day, Indonesia was hit by demonstrations in solidarity with Nestle Panjang workers in five major cities. In Bandar Lampung (capital of Lampung Province, South Sumatera), Jakarta (capital of Indonesia), Bandung (capital of West Java), Yogyakarta (Special Region in Central Java), and in Denpasar (capital of Bali Province) hundreds of women workers participated in the events with one common demand: Stop Nespressure, Reinstate the 53!
Hundreds of women workers from FSPM and Arnotts Indonesia Workers' Union gathered in Jakarta.
"Nestle, if you hurt our brothers and their families in Panjang, it means you hurt all of us here. We will not stop protesting until our brothers in Panjang are reinstated. We will continue this protest to protect the livelihood of our families!", says Kamila, the chairwoman for the Jakarta Region of FSPM.
"Nestle has to take responsibility for the future of our families! Every child dropped out of school, every suffering that we have now!" - shouted the wife of an SBNIP member at the demonstration at the Bandar Lampung Monument.
In Bandung, the action was joined by the nationally-known singer, Acil Bimbo, who said: "Job security and union rights are guaranteed by our law. Shame on Nestle, which came to this country to treat the workers so badly. The Government of Indonesia should not allow any company to treat us unfairly!"
In Lampung, the March 8th action was part of serial protest. A picket line and rally were held by SBNIP, Kirin Miwon Workers, Umas Jaya Workers, Philip Seafood Workers and Sugar Labinta Workers, which are affiliated with the Federation of Lampung Independent Workers' Unions. The speakers at the rally confirmed the workers' committment to continue the protest until the justice is done.
At the March 8 action in Yogyakarta, FSPM Women's Committee members from various hotels showed their solidarity with Panjang workers and their families.
The Bali Regional Women's Committee of FSPM pledged that March 8th will be the beginning of series of solidarity actions for Nestle Panjang Indonesia and Kabirwala Pakistan workers.
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