Indonesian Labor Unions Mark May Day as a Day for Demands, Not Just Ceremony
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Indonesian labor confederations emphasized that May Day is a moment to voice workers' aspirations and demands to the government, not just a ceremonial event.
- KSPI presented 11 demands to President Prabowo Subianto, including the ratification of the Labor Law, abolition of outsourcing, and rejection of low wages, with some demands already receiving presidential attention and processing.
- Two main May Day events were held in Jakarta: one at Monas by KSPSI and the Labor Party featuring President Prabowo, and another at the DPR by other labor groups, with KSPSI expecting 400,000 attendees at Monas.
The Confederation of Indonesian Workers' Unions (KSPI) has firmly stated that May Day is far from a mere ceremonial occasion. It is, in fact, a crucial platform for workers to articulate their aspirations and demands directly to the government. This year, under President Prabowo Subianto's administration, KSPI presented a comprehensive list of 11 key demands.
Dari 11 isu yang kami sampaikan, ada beberapa yang langsung mendapat respons dan penegasan dari presiden.
These demands cover a range of critical labor issues, including the urgent need for the ratification of the Labor Law, the complete eradication of outsourcing practices, a firm stance against low wages, and measures to address the threat of job losses due to global conflicts. Furthermore, workers are calling for tax reforms and the full-time employment of part-time teachers and contract health workers.
Presiden juga optimistis bahwa pertumbuhan ekonomi Indonesia dapat dicapai.
President Prabowo has reportedly responded positively to some of these demands, with progress noted on the ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill. Additionally, a task force is being established to tackle job termination threats and foster employment opportunities. The President's optimism regarding Indonesia's economic growth offers a glimmer of hope for the labor sector.
Ada kaitannya dengan ojek online, ratifikasi ILO, dan kebijakan kesejahteraan buruh.
While the spirit of May Day is celebrated across the archipelago, Jakarta saw a division in its commemoration. The Monas area hosted a celebratory event by KSPSI and the Labor Party, graced by President Prabowo's presence, who promised 'surprises' related to online motorcycle taxi drivers, ILO ratification, and worker welfare policies. In contrast, other labor groups convened near the DPR, focusing on presenting their demands. The sheer scale of the Monas gathering, estimated at 400,000 people, underscores the significant presence and influence of the labor movement in Indonesia.
Ada kaitannya dengan ojek online, ratifikasi ILO, dan kebijakan kesejahteraan buruh.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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