Tempo
Interactive - May 1, 2010
Muhammad
Taufik, Mojokerto – The commemoration of May Day in the East Java city of
Mojokerto on Saturday May 1 was joined by around 5,000 workers from various parts
of the regency who held a protest action in front of the Regional House of
Representatives (DPRD) and the regional government offices.
One of the
action coordinators, Heri Subagyo said that they were demanding that the
government resolve a number of labour issues such as completing the draft law
on the Social Insurance Management Agency (BPJS) and revisions to Law Number
3/1992 on the Workers Insurance Scheme (Jamsostek). "In healthcare service
matters, workers are still put in second place at hospitals", he said.
Subagyo
added another important issue was arbitrary dismissals by companies and that
the government act fairly and not side with employers.
In Jombang
regency meanwhile, thousands of workers took to the streets in the centre of the
city. "Up until now workers are still oppressed by regulations that don't
side with workers," said action coordinator Agus Mulya Abadi. The
protesters also called on the government to abolish contract labour systems and
outsourcing.
The workers,
who came from various different organisations such as the Workers Challenge
Alliance (ABM), gathered at the Darul Ulum University campus then moved off
towards the DPRD building.
[Slightly
abridged translation by James Balowski.]
