Berdikari
Online - May 2, 2010
Jakarta –
Thousands of workers from various different labour organisations and alliances
arrived in waves at the State Palace on Jl. Merdeka Utara to commemorate May
Day on Saturday May 1.
Since early
morning, thousands of workers from the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers
Federation (FSPMI), the National Workers Union (SPN) and the Indonesian
Association of Trade Unions (Aspek) had been gathering in front of the State
Palace. In addition to demanding healthcare guarantees and social welfare, the
workers also called for the formation of a trustee's commission to replace the
Social Insurance Management Agency (BPJS).
As afternoon
approached, another wave of demonstrators began arriving from groups such as
the Confederation of Prosperity Labor Unions (KSBSI), the Anti-Corruption Youth
Action Committee (KAPAK) and the People's Struggle Front (FPR). During their
action, the FPR brought a number of demands such wage increases in line with
the cost of living, the abolition of contract labour and outsourcing systems,
the cancellation of the ASEAN China Free Trade Area Agreement (ACFTA) and the
repeal of the draft BPJS law.
At around
1pm, thousands of workers from the Workers Challenge Alliance (ABM) also
arrived at the State Palace. In addition to listening to speeches being given
from the 'command vehicle', the protesters also sung songs and shouted slogans
of struggle.
Despite the
heavy downpour, the majority of workers continued the demonstration in front of
the Palace. "We prepared ourselves physically and mentally to come and
fight here," a worker named Prakoso told Berdikari Online.
A short
interval after the arrival of the ABM, thousands of demonstrators from the May
One Movement (GSM) 2010, an alliance of some 36 trade unions and organisations
under the Indonesian People's Opposition Front (FOR Indonesia), also turned up.
In a
statement, the GSM took up a number of issues including an end to the
liberalisation of labour policies, arbitrary dismissals and outsourcing, the
cancellation of free trade agreements and the privatisation of strategic state
assets. They also called for the nationalisation of all mining, oil and gas
companies, plantations and other strategic assets for the welfare of the
people.
The group
also brought a huge replica rat and set fire to it in front of the Palace.
"Replace the regime, replace the system. Workers take power for the
people's prosperity", shouted the workers during a long-march from the
Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to the State Palace. (Ulf)
[Slightly
abridged translation by James Balowski.]
