Thousands take part in 'labor festival'

Thousands take part in 'labor festival'

JAKARTA (JP): At least 3,000 laborers from Greater Jakarta
gathered at Bulungan youth hall in South Jakarta on Sunday to
take part in a one-day "labor festival" to mark International
Labor day.

Laborers took part in a number of events at the festival such
as karaoke and poetry-reading, allowing themselves to revitalize
themselves from their daily routine.

"We hope we can hold this festival weekly so we can meet other
workers and share our stories," said one of the workers from
Tambun district in Bekasi.

The event's coordinator, Jumhur Hidayat, said he organized
such a festival to allow workers to enjoy themselves in
"recreation".

"For us, welfare also includes how often one goes out to relax
and enjoy oneself. Ask our laborer friends here how many of them
have the chance to sing karaoke, watch television, listen to
music and go for picnics. They are not robots who must work all
day every day," said Jumhur, who also chairs the Indonesian Free
Labor Association. (emf)