Prabowo assures facilitation of "daycare" needs for workers' children

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto stated that he will advocate for the establishment of childcare facilities or daycares for workers as quickly as possible, as part of the government’s steps to support workers’ welfare. “It was mentioned earlier that workers need childcare places, daycares; this is a good suggestion. We will fight for this, we will implement it as soon as possible,” said President Prabowo while attending the International Workers’ Day Commemoration at the National Monument (Monas), Jakarta, on Friday. This was conveyed by the President in response to proposals from labour union leaders regarding various issues being pushed to ensure the welfare of Indonesian workers remains guaranteed. The President also responded to proposals regarding affordable housing for workers. Specifically, he highlighted that the government has begun building houses for the community, targeting the completion of 1 million houses. “These houses will be built in clusters near industrial areas, close to workplaces, in line with your suggestions,” he said. He also explained the government’s plan to build new cities, each area estimated to have 100,000 flats equipped with essential facilities including schools, hospitals, sports venues, childcare centres, and others. “Most importantly, there must be transportation, whether light rail, buses, so that workers can commute to work smoothly and efficiently,” he said. On this occasion, the General Chairman of the Indonesian Workers’ Union Confederation (KPBI), Ilhamsyah, stated that family workers face choices when having children, such as entrusting them to family members or one of them stopping work. Therefore, he conveyed aspirations for the government to provide support to ensure the welfare of workers and their families is guaranteed. “We hope the state is present to create daycares in industrial areas, in workers’ settlements, so that workers’ children can live decently, so that workers’ children can grow and develop well,” he said. He described the state’s presence in ensuring childcare facilities as part of guaranteeing quality human resources and, specifically, realising health guarantees and good childcare for workers’ children.