Bandung trade unions call for reasonable wages, reject fuel price hikes

Detik News - May 1, 2012

Baban Gandapurnama, Bandung – Thousands of workers and other groups, which took to the streets to commemorate International Labour Day or May Day at the Gedung Sate governor's office in the West Java Provincial capital of Bandung, voiced almost identical demands.

The protest action by workers from the All Indonesia Trade Union (SBSI) 1992, the National Trade Union Confederation (KSN) and the Solidarity Alliance for Labour Struggle (GSPB), proceeded peacefully with workers' representatives taking turns giving speeches.

"Make May 1 a national holiday. We also demand a reasonable national wage to be given to all workers", said the chairperson of the West Java branch of SBSI 1992, Ajat Sudrajat, when speaking at the action on Tuesday May 1.

Sudrajat said that workers will not stop struggling for their rights and that the momentum of May Day will be used by workers to demand prosperity. "Workers' demands are all the same. Namely, rejecting increases to fuel prices and electricity rates, abolishing contract labour and outsourcing, and providing social security", said Sudrajat.

The workers brought several posters to the demonstration with messages such as, "A reasonable wage now", "Stop union busting" and "Stop muzzling trade unions". As of 11.30am the action was still continuing. (bbn/ern)

[Buruh Tuntut 1 Mei Libur Nasional dan Upah Layak - detikBandung. Selasa, 01/05/2012. Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski.]