More workers protest controversial labor bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): About 300 workers claiming to represent their
\ncolleagues in Java and Sumatra held a noisy demonstration outside
\nthe House of Representatives yesterday in another round of
\nprotests over the manpower bill.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators, waving banners and flags depicting their
\nplace of origin, were dressed in black T-Shirts and red headbands
\nwith the words Tolak RUUK Versi Depnaker (Reject the Ministry of
\nManpower's version of Labor Bill) written on them.<\/p>\n
They were accompanied by dozens of students and activists from
\nnon-governmental organizations.<\/p>\n
Wiyana, a young worker from Bandung, West Java, said he and
\nhis fellow workers came to Jakarta at their own expense.<\/p>\n
\"We want our representatives here to heed our aspirations
\nconcerning the bill which we think will burden us with
\nstipulations that say workers who strike get no pay,\" Wiyana
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The House's deliberation of the manpower bill drew criticism
\nfrom the press, labor observers, and legal experts last month
\nwhen it held closed government-sponsored deliberations in a
\nluxurious hotel while the House was in recess.<\/p>\n
Many were also amazed when the House's open session then sped
\nup deliberations on several of the bill's substantial articles.<\/p>\n
But legislators and the government claim to have inserted many
\nimprovements during deliberations like an agreement to include an
\narticle allowing the drafting of another bill on unions.<\/p>\n
Despite the apparent strong will to push the bill through,
\ndemonstrators remained unperturbed yesterday.<\/p>\n
The head of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institue's labor division,
\nTeten Masduki, said \"we just want legislators to heed workers'
\naspirations\".<\/p>\n
He said he saw some hope in the broadcasting bill which the
\nHouse passed but then had to be re-deliberated after the
\npresident returned it to the House.<\/p>\n
\"So, why can't the same thing happen with the manpower bill
\nwhich has already been deliberated?\" Teten asked.<\/p>\n
He said there was little information available on possible
\nchanges to the bill made during the latest round of
\ndeliberations. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-workers-protest-controversial-labor-bill-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}