Some 1,000 workers employed by foreign companies in Batam staged a rally on Thursday demanding an end to the practice of outsourcing in the region, which they said had left them without futures. Anto Sujanto, chairman of Indonesian Metal Workers Labour Union (FSPMI) said that thousand of workers in Batam had no job security and the outsourcing mechanism violated Law No 13/2003 on Manpower.

The union demanded the municipal administration to fix this pressing situation. Outsourced worker Anita said her salary was Rp 200,000 (US$21) less than other workers in the same position and service term who were recruited directly by the same company she was assigned to

Outsourced worker Anita said her salary was Rp 200,000 (US$21) less than other workers in the same position and service term who were recruited directly by the same company she was assigned to

Responding to the protesters’ demand, Batam Manpower Agency head Rudy Syakyakirti said his office had issued outsourcing licenses to 56 companies, but only around 10 were still operating. Meanwhile most of companies refuse to reveal the numbers of workers recruited through Manpower Agency.