Did the Government hire rainmen to put damper on labor parade?

There are those who wring their hands and pray for divine intervention, and there are others who are more proactive in dealing with the elements.

The government apparently falls into the latter category, after reportedly hiring 60 so-called "rainmen" -- spiritualists who can create or disperse rain -- to wash out massive labour protests in Jakarta.

"The spiritualists, who mostly come from Greater Jakarta, are paid around Rp 1 million (about US$120) each for their services. They are coordinated by the Jakarta administration," said an official from the Vice President's office who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The spiritualists were reportedly assigned to several points to accumulate clouds and direct them to areas around the Hotel Indonesia circle, the House of Representatives compound, the Presidential Palace and the Vice President's Office, where the demonstrations were centered.

Like an answer to worried officials' prayers, the skies suddenly opened and saturated the protesters after they heard the rousing speeches of labour union leaders.

Several members of the police and the presidential guard also reportedly possess special abilities to cause or prevent rain, although it is not known if they were enlisted to the cause.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, looking out at the hot weather before the rain came, jokingly blamed Jakarta Police Chief Inspector General. Firman Gani.

"Where is the rain? Pak Firman Gani told me that he has the best rainmakers hired to help disperse the protesters. But the weather seems to be friendly to the protesters," said Kalla, who denied later during a press conference the reports the government enlisted the aid of spiritualists

For more on the formidable Vice President, scroll down.

What were the workers protesting against, the answer lies below!