National Labor Day

National Labor Day

From Media Indonesia

The struggle to win recognition for May 1, celebrated as Labor
Day all over the world and acknowledged in this country, is not
something unusual. However, it would be a good idea if the day
were celebrated nationwide.

There have been quite a few casualties, including Marsinah
(1994), Sringatin (June 22, 2000), Kismin Efendi (March 29,
2001), Rachmat Hidayat (April 15, 2001) and many others
registered and belatedly recorded. They were the laborers and
workers who became the main pillars and the proof of a long labor
struggle for victory, freedom, independence, and justice in this
country.

Should the workers/laborers, along with the existing labor
unions in this state, not be able to fight for their own National
Labor Day, it would then be necessary for us to question their
very existence and roles. What do they represent and what have
they become? Have they become the subjects or do they still
remain the objects?

The struggle of labor is the struggle for just and humane
conditions as the present well-being of our laborers is far from
optimal. To have bargaining power in AFTA in an era fraught with
competition is surely a must. Therefore, will the people of this
nation be able to survive i0n their own land? You all have to
answer!

HANS WIDHYA

Jakarta