Violent protests break out across Indonesia

High school and university students hurled rocks and bottles at officers who blocked them from approaching the palace in the capital city of Jakarta on Thursday. Police responded with tear gas. Other protesters burned a police post and set fire to a subway station downtown. Authorities arrested more than 200 demonstrators as similar skirmishes broke out in other large cities.

What are they protesting? The Indonesian parliament on Monday approved a job creation law in a bid to attract new investors. Demonstrators argue it will reduce severance pay, increase outsourcing, and change monthly pay to hourly wages. Protest organizers called for a three-day national strike to begin Tuesday to demand the government revoke the law.

Dig deeper: Read my report about last year’s anti-government, student-led protests in the country.