The House of Representatives has dropped the plan to revise the 2003 law on labor since the government had failed to involve workers in forming the draft of revisions.
The House decided to drop the bill from the priority list of the 2011 national legislative program.
According to lawmaker Rieke Diah Pitaloka, the government has not discussed the bill with either workers or House Commission IX on labor affairs.
"The draft came from the government and we don't know what the considerations were," she said.
She added that the bill was less urgent than other bills being worked on by lawmakers, especially the bill on the social security service agency (BPJS).
"Although the Labor Law is not ideal, the bill on the social security system has a higher priority because once it is passed, workers will all have basic protection," she said.
She further added that the Social Security Law would protect both employers and employees in times of economic uncertainty by acting as a safety net in case of layoffs and financial losses.
The social security bill aims to protect workers by providing coverage, including health and pension funds.
"This [social security bill] should have been the government's priority. It is lopsided if the House and public are the only ones wanting this bill to be finished," Rieke said. (gzl)
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