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)