Some labor groups plan May Day off

Some labor groups plan May Day off

JAKARTA (JP): Several labor organizations have grouped
together to pledge to use their workers' rights to take the day
off on the upcoming World Labor Day on May 1.

World Labor Day this year falls on Tuesday, a working day.

Among those who have said they will join the so called May 1,
2001 Action Committee are the National Front of Indonesian
Workers Struggle (FNBI), the Indonesian Maritime Workers and
Fishermen Union, Working People's Cultural Network (Jaker), the
Greater Jakarta Workers Union (SBJ), the Independent Labor Union
(SBM) and the Association of Independent Workers Unions (GSBI).

The committee's spokesman, Ilham Syah, said on Monday that the
idea has been disseminated to all of its members.

"Thousands of workers in Jakarta and Greater Jakarta will be
taking part in the commemoration by marching from the Hotel
Indonesia roundabout to the National Monument," he said, as
quoted by Antara.

The action, he added, is to raise awareness of workers'
rights.

"We'll also demand a stop to foreign loans and a cut in ties
with the International Monetary Fund," Ilham said.

Ilham also said that their one-day "holiday" is in line with
Labor Law No. 12/1948 which states May 1 as a holiday for
workers.

"But since the New Order government, workers have been
pressured not to take the day off," he added.

At last year's commemoration of World Labor Day, at least
1,000 people from various labor organizations and students
conducted an open speech forum at the University of Indonesia
campus in Salemba, Central Jakarta. (hdn)