THOUSANDS of workers joined mass protests in Indonesia today in opposition to planned new legislation that they warn will weaken employment rights and environmental protections.

The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), representing 32 organisations, organised a rally in front of the presidential palace and Constitutional Court in the capital Jakarta.

The confederation reported that thousands of workers attended from cities in East and West Java, while protests also took place in other parts of the country including Yogyakarta, Banda Aceh, Medan and Makassar.

A number of workers were detained as security forces moved against what the KSPI described as a peaceful protest.

Representatives handed in a statement to the court, signed by KSPI president Said Iqbal.

“We demand that the Constitutional Court conduct a judicial review of the Job Creation Law to really pay attention to the aspirations that have been voiced by millions of Indonesian workers,” the statement said.

The confederation is calling for the new legislation, which was approved by parliament on October 5, to be scrapped. It amends 79 previous laws and Indonesian President Joko Widodo insists that it will improve efficiency and attract more investment to the country.

But the KPSI warns that the law means workers will be hit by reduced severance pay, increased outsourcing and a move from monthly salaries to an hourly wage.

The unions want a rise in the country’s minimum wage in 2021, but Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah issued a circular today ordering regional administrations to implement a freeze.

Further protests have been called for next Monday and Tuesday, with Mr Said stating that workers will walk out in 24 Indonesian provinces.