Some labor groups plan May Day off<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Several labor organizations have grouped
\ntogether to pledge to use their workers' rights to take the day
\noff on the upcoming World Labor Day on May 1.<\/p>\n
World Labor Day this year falls on Tuesday, a working day.<\/p>\n
Among those who have said they will join the so called May 1,
\n2001 Action Committee are the National Front of Indonesian
\nWorkers Struggle (FNBI), the Indonesian Maritime Workers and
\nFishermen Union, Working People's Cultural Network (Jaker), the
\nGreater Jakarta Workers Union (SBJ), the Independent Labor Union
\n(SBM) and the Association of Independent Workers Unions (GSBI).<\/p>\n
The committee's spokesman, Ilham Syah, said on Monday that the
\nidea has been disseminated to all of its members.<\/p>\n
"Thousands of workers in Jakarta and Greater Jakarta will be
\ntaking part in the commemoration by marching from the Hotel
\nIndonesia roundabout to the National Monument," he said, as
\nquoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
The action, he added, is to raise awareness of workers'
\nrights.<\/p>\n
"We'll also demand a stop to foreign loans and a cut in ties
\nwith the International Monetary Fund," Ilham said.<\/p>\n
Ilham also said that their one-day "holiday" is in line with
\nLabor Law No. 12\/1948 which states May 1 as a holiday for
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
"But since the New Order government, workers have been
\npressured not to take the day off," he added.<\/p>\n
At last year's commemoration of World Labor Day, at least
\n1,000 people from various labor organizations and students
\nconducted an open speech forum at the University of Indonesia
\ncampus in Salemba, Central Jakarta. (hdn)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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