Dudung appreciates labour commitment to maintaining peaceful and orderly protests

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Chief of Staff to the Presidency, Dudung Abdurachman, has expressed appreciation for the commitment of labour representatives to ensure that demonstrations to convey aspirations in Jakarta on Thursday were conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner.

“I also appreciate the commitment from labour representatives to keep the protests peaceful and orderly; let us protect this democratic space together,” said Dudung after receiving several representatives from labour organisations at the Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Thursday.

Dudung stated that the government respects the right of workers to express their aspirations and opinions as part of democratic life. According to him, the space for dialogue remains open as long as aspirations are conveyed in an orderly, peaceful, and lawful manner.

It is noted that Thursday’s labour action involved thousands of workers from various regions, including West Java, Banten, Bekasi, and DKI Jakarta. Protesters from the Great Coalition of Indonesian Labour Struggle (KBPBI) gathered at the Sudirman Statue area and moved towards the UOB area on Jalan MH Thamrin to convey their grievances.

Dudung remarked that the government and labour unions share the same objective: to realise a fair, productive, and prosperous working world.

“Fundamentally, the government and labour have the same goal, which is a fair, productive, and prosperous working world,” he said.

He emphasised that worker protection must go hand-in-hand with business sustainability, job creation, and economic growth. Dudung also urged all parties to maintain a conducive situation so that the space for expressing aspirations through democratic mechanisms remains preserved.

“Let us protect this democratic space together,” he added.

During the meeting, representatives from labour organisations presented 11 points of aspiration. These points included labour-friendly Employment Laws; job security and the prevention of the abuse of outsourcing, contract, and apprenticeship systems; fair wages; protection for platform workers; severance pay guarantees; and freedom of association.

Labour representatives also highlighted occupational safety, law enforcement against violators of labour rights, protection for female workers, employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, and skills training to face the era of automation.

To secure activities in Jakarta, the Metro Jaya Regional Police prepared 26,386 personnel from the National Police, TNI, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, and the security units of the DPR/MPR to oversee 99 community activities, including 73 public demonstrations.