Workers mark Labor Day with rallies
Workers mark Labor Day with rallies
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Thousands of people across the country took to the streets on
Sunday to mark Labor Day with demands for better working
conditions and the protection of workers' rights, as well as
calling for the government to declare the day a public holiday.
In Jakarta, about 4,000 people gathered at the
Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta before marching
to the presidential palace, where they held a rally under the
gaze of some 300 unarmed police officers.
Carrying flags representing different labor organizations,
participants also waved posters demanding "Entrepreneurs
oppressing workers be arrested" and rejecting "low-wage
standards", AFP reported.
The demonstrators demanded President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
who was not in the palace at the time of the rally, create more
good-paying jobs.
According to the secretary-general of the Federation of
Independent Workers Unions, Rudi H.B. Zaman, normal workers now
made between Rp 600,000 (US$63) and Rp 700,000 a month.
He said workers were demanding a monthly salary of between Rp
1 million and Rp 2 million. "That is ideal," he told Antara
during the rally. "At their current salaries, workers cannot live
decently."
The demonstrators unveiled a list of 14 demands, which
included making Labor Day a public holiday, stopping the
dismissal of workers, eliminating the contract system and
revoking Law No. 13/2003 on manpower.
"We will never stop demanding the government improve the
welfare of workers," Rudi said.
In Surabaya, hundreds of workers and students criticized the
government for failing to protect workers and always siding with
investors.
During the rally, workers demanded the government introduce a
fair salary system.
"We also demand the government protect migrant workers and the
rights of all workers, and reject free trade deals that hurt
workers," a person taking part in the rally said.
Atok Illah, the head of the labor division at Surabaya's Legal
Aid Institute, called on all workers to learn their rights.
"Many workers still do not know their rights," he told The
Jakarta Post.
He said the dismissal of employees and contract workers were
among the most significant labor problems in the country. "Many
workers are being dismissed unfairly."
However, whenever workers report unfair dismissals to the
authorities, they rarely receive support.
In Bandung, workers and students marked Labor Day with a march
along the city's main thoroughfares and speeches, Antara news
agency reported.
Speakers condemned the oppression of workers and demanded free
education and health care for workers.
The information coordinator for the May 1, 2005, Solidarity
Movement, Sidharta, said they were demanding the government
revoke all laws and regulations that harm workers.
In Surakarta, Central Java, hundreds of people rallied outside
the heavily guarded house of Surakarta Mayor Loji Gandung, waving
banners accusing the government of failing to protect workers.