Kompas -
May 1, 2009
Jakarta –
After holding a demonstration to commemorate International Labour Day at the
Hotel Indonesia roundabout and the State Palace in Central Jakarta, protesters
from the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Federation (FSPMI) and several other
trade unions continued the action at the House of Representatives (DPR)
building in Senayan.
There
demands were the same, namely calling on the government and members of the DPR
and People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) to implement the six programs of
labour struggle.
The first
program is the fight to revise the law on the Workers Insurance Scheme
(Jamsostek), second to abolish outsourcing and third the struggle for a law on
a decent wage and salary structure.
The fourth
demand is to strengthen the supervision of labour relations, fifth, the struggle
for labour justice that is simple, quick and fair, and finally the struggle for
a law to regulate special economic zones to guarantee workers’ welfare.
When the
workers were making their demands, not one member of the DPR was prepared to
meet with them, although this did not diminish the spirit of the protesters.
According to
Isnaini, on May 4 the FSPMI will be cooperating with the Workers Challenge
Alliance (ABM) and several other trade unions in holding an even bigger action
in the West Java provisional capital of Bandung.
“In addition
to this, on May 21 a May Day Fiesta will be held. We have already invited a
number of government officials. The only ones confirmed to come are the
Minister of Labour and Transmigration and [vice presidential hopeful] Prabowo
[Subianto]. Other officials meanwhile, including SBY [President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono] and JK [vice president Jusuf Kalla] have yet to confirm,” said
Isnaini following the action at the DPR building.
Not long
after conveying their demands the demonstrators disbanded in an orderly
fashion. A number of other labour groups meanwhile held similar actions at
other points in the city including the Hotel Indonesia roundabout and the State
Palace. The essence of their demands was for government officials, particularly
those who have been recently elected, to pay attention to and improve the
fortunes of the working class.
[Translated
by James Balowski.]
