KASBI Reveals Reasons for Not Attending May Day at Monas Attended by Prabowo

The General Chairman of the Indonesian Labour Union Alliance Congress Confederation (KASBI), Sunarno, revealed the reasons why his organisation did not participate in the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration at Monas in Central Jakarta on Friday (1/5). Sunarno stated that the decision was not due to hatred towards the government, but because of the still poor labour conditions in Indonesia to this day. “Indeed, we deliberately held an action at the DPR building, not at Monas with the President. We were also invited, but that doesn’t mean we hate the government or anything like that,” Sunarno said during an audience with DPR RI leaders at the parliamentary complex in Central Jakarta on Friday (1/5). “But, with the current situation or the existing labour conditions that are still very bad, it means we still want to voice the aspirations of our grassroots comrades,” he continued. On that occasion, Sunarno also conveyed several demands raised in this year’s May Day commemoration. First, regarding the creation of a new Labour Law as a follow-up to the Constitutional Court (MK) ruling. “We ask the DPR to immediately discuss a pro-worker Labour Law involving elements from labour unions. Because if elements from labour unions are not involved, we believe substantively it will not align with the demands of the working class so far,” he stated. Then, regarding the wage system in Indonesia. Sunarno urged the government and DPR to synergise in addressing wage disparities for workers in Indonesia. Furthermore, Sunarno addressed the outsourcing system, contract work, apprenticeships, and even daily casual labour. Another issue highlighted was the ratification of ILO Convention 188 on fisheries, maritime, or seafaring workers, and the ratification of ILO Convention 190, as Indonesia has not yet ratified it regarding violence or harassment in the workplace. “So, our government should be able to carry out that ratification,” Sunarno said. The May Day Fiesta attended by Prabowo at Monas was led by, among others, masses from the Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPI) alliance and the Labour Party led by Said Iqbal, the All-Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI) led by Andi Gani Nena Wea, the All-Indonesian Labour Union Confederation (KSBSI) led by Elly Rosita Silaban, and others.