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)