Jakarta hit in third day of clashes against new jobs law

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Police and demonstrators clashed in Jakarta on Thursday on a third consecutive day of widespread protests and labour strikes against a polarising jobs law that took effect in Indonesia this week.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the state palace in central Jakarta, shouting and throwing stones at police who responded by firing tear gas and water cannon, Reuters witnesses said.

The "omnibus" jobs creation bill, passed into law on Monday, has prompted thousands across the world’s fourth-most populous nation to protest against legislation they say undermines labour rights and weakens environmental protections.

(Writing by Kate Lamb; editing by John Stonestreet)