Jusuf Kalla rumored to have paid Rp10 trillion for vice-presidency

Petikan.com - May 19, 2014

Editorial staff – Senior Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) figure Sabam Sirait says that PDI-P vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla (JK) who will run alongside PDI-P presidential candidate Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in the 2014 presidential elections deposited 10 trillion rupiah (US$870 million) with PDI-P chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri.

"I heard that JK provided Rp10 trillion to pay for the pilpres [presidential election] if he became the cawapres [vice presidential candidate], I warned the PDI-P not to be tempted by financial enticements, because the PDI-P has a commitment to build politics without money politics, and I again warned them that the PDI-P was established not to be bought and sold", said Sirait.

According to Sirait, the determination of a political coalition and vice presidential candidate should not be because of money offered, but rather in consideration of the interests of the fate of the 260 million Indonesian people, 17 thousand islands and the future of the nation.

"For me there were only two choices for cawapres, [former Constitutional Court chief justice] Mahfud [MD] or [Corruption Eradication Commission chief] Abraham Samad. Both are clean and honest people who can be trusted to run alongside Jokowi", asserted Sirait.

"I've already discussed my plan to resign [from the PDI-P over the choice of Kalla] with other PDI-P founding members and friends at the Parkindo [now defunct Indonesian Christian Party}. I'll be looking for a chance to convey this to general chairperson [Megawati]", he said by way of conclusion.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Source: http://petikan.com/news/890-jadi-pendamping-jokowi-jk-setor-rp10-triliun-ke-mega-.

Prabowo must clarify statement on whereabouts of abducted activists

Kompas - May 6, 2014

Rio Kuswandi, Jakarta – Former army Special Forces (Kopassus) commander Prabowo Subianto is being urged to give an immediate clarification on the abduction of 13 activists abducted in 1997/98 that are still missing to this day. This clarification by the presidential candidate for the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra Party) should not just be conveyed via the mass media.

"If Prabowo wishes to clarity the matter don't [just] do it though the mass media. Likewise for Wiranto. If he does indeed have the guts to make a clarification please do it at an ad hoc human rights court hearing the case of the forced abductions", said the mother of Wawan, one of the victims of the Semanggi I fatal shooting of student activists in 1998 at the offices of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) on Monday May 5.

In the upheaval of the period leading up to reformasi (the process of political reform that began in 1998), Subianto was the commander of Tim Mawar (Rose Team), the team of soldiers that allegedly carried out the abduction of activists and students. Meanwhile the presidential candidate from the People's Conscious Party (Hanura Party) Wiranto was at the time the commander of the Indonesian armed forces (ABRI).

Sumarsih is calling the goodwill of Subianto and Wiranto to clearly reveal the mystery of the disappearance of the activists so that legal action can be taken as soon as possible. According to Sumarsih, they should not be thinking about becoming presidential candidates if they are still mired in burdens of the past.

"If [they] do indeed love the nation then don't [just] join the race as presidential candidates. Please with a great heart push for the formation of a human rights court", said Sumarsih.

One of the victims of the abductions who was released, Mugiyanto, believes it is inappropriate for Subianto to become president because he still has moral issues from the past. "If Prabowo becomes president, in the future if could well be that we would disappear people who are at odds with us", he said.

The groups that make up the Movement Against Forgetting (GML) believe that the statement by former Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad, Green Berets) Chief of Staff Major General Kivlan Zen could provide a point of clarification that could lead to a resolution to the case of the 13 activists that disappeared in 1998.

During a debate aired by TV One titled "Which Presidential Candidates have Violate Human Rights" on Monday April 28, Zen admitted to knowing the whereabouts and fate of the 13 missing activists. During the television broadcast, Zen said, "Those that were abducted and disappeared, I know where they are. [They were] shot, dumped...". The GML believes that this sentence confirms that the abductions actually happened and must be immediately processed legally.

Earlier, Subianto stated that he was ready to clarify a number of issues associated with him and the 1998 affair. "I left the military with citations and stories. If necessary, I am ready to provide clarification", he said during a break in a friendly meeting of the central leadership board of the Armed Forces and Police Veterans Association as quoted by Kompas Newspaper on April 25.

Notes

Between 1997 and 1998 as many as 23 pro-democracy activists were abducted by members of the elite Special Forces Kopassus. After extended periods of detention -- in many cases the victims were severely tortured -- most were released although 13 remain missing and are presumed dead. Former Kopassus chief Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto who was at the time President Suharto's son-in-law is alleged to have ordered the abductions. In April 1999, 11 low-ranking Kopassus officers were tried by a military court for the kidnappings and given sentences of between a year and 22 months in prison, although six of them were allowed to remain in the army. Subianto himself was discharged from the military for ordering the abductions but has never been tried.

Source: http://indonesiasatu.kompas.com/read/2014/05/06/0734283/kalau.prabowo.mau.klarifikasi.jangan.di.media.massa?utm_source=WP&utm_medium=box&utm_campaign=Kknwp.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Activists say Prabowo must be held accountable for 97/98 abductions

Okezone - May 5, 2014

Rizka Diputra, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) is calling on official state institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and even the president to act upon a statement by former Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad, Green Berets) Chief of Staff Major General Kivlan Zen.

During a debate aired by TV One titled "Which Presidential Candidates have Violate Human Rights" on April 28, Zen admitted to knowing the whereabouts of the graves of the victims of the 1997-98 abduction of political activists by the army's elite Special Forces (Kopassus).

"Both [Zen and former Kopassus commander Prabowo Subianto] must be questioned over the case of the forced disappearance of the activists in 1997/1998", said Kontras activist Yati Andriyani at a press conference by the Movement Against Forgetting (GML) at the Kontras office in Central Jakarta on Monday May 5.

Andriyani was referring to Article 42 of Law Number 26/200 on Human Rights Courts and Article 6 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED).

There, she said, it notes that a military commander can be held responsible for actions carried out by troops under their command and effective control over or the consequences of not maintaining effective control over troops.

"Prabowo as the former commander of Kopassus, the superior office of Tim Mawar [Rose Team] cannot escape accountability for the 13 victims that are still missing", she said.

Andriyani explained that the principle of nebis in idem (a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime) in the case is invalid because there is a different jurisdiction between a military tribunal and a human rights court. In 1999 a military tribunal only tried 11 Kopassus members from the Rose Team.

"In this context, the military tribunal failed to elaborate on the fate of the 13 other victims that remain missing to this day, who at the time were imprisoned at the same location as the victims that were released [alive]", she said.

Furthermore, Andriyani is calling on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to immediately form a team to search for the 13 victims and issue a presidential decree on the formation of a human rights court to hear the case of the forced disappearances in 1997/98. She also called on the AGO to conduct an immediate investigation in accordance with the recommendations of the House of Representatives in 2009.

"The recommendation of the Indonesian Ombudsman in 2013 was that the undue delays and mal-administration of the case end immediately and that the victims' [families] receive legal certainty", she asserted.

The GKL was initiated by several human rights NGOs including, among others, Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial), Kontras, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), the Institute for Public Research and Advocacy (Elsam), Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), the People's Politics (Politik Rakyat), the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Jakarta), the Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers), the Democracy Institute, the Solidarity Action Committee for Munir and Udin (KASUM), the Solidarity Network for the Families of Victims (JSKK), Indonesian Association of the Families of Missing Persons (IKOHI), the Ridep Institute, the National Consortium for Legal Reform (KRHN), the Community Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat), the Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy, Free Women (Perempuan Mahardika), the Surabaya Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Surabaya) and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI).

Notes

Between 1997 and 1998 as many as 23 pro-democracy activists were abducted by members of the elite Special Forces Kopassus. After extended periods of detention – in many cases the victims were severely tortured – most were released although 13 remain missing and are presumed dead. Former Kopassus chief Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto who was at the time President Suharto's son-in-law is alleged to have ordered the abductions. In April 1999, 11 low-ranking Kopassus officers were tried by a military court for the kidnappings and given sentences of between a year and 22 months in prison, although six of them were allowed to remain in the army. Subianto himself was discharged from the military for ordering the abductions but has never been tried.

Source: http://news.okezone.com/read/2014/05/05/339/980509/kasus-penculikan-aktivis-kontras-prabowo-tidak-bisa-lepas-tangan.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

TNI: Separatism, labour strikes being used as 'proxy war' by foreigners

Kompas Newspaper - May 2, 2014

Bandung – The commander of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad, Green Berets) Lieutenant General Gatot Nurmantyo has called on all Indonesians to be on guard against a proxy war. This war, which uses third parties in order to defeat its enemies, is largely directed at food, water and energy sources.

Indonesia with its huge potential natural resources has become an arena of competing interests for several countries through this proxy war. Moreover indications have already become apparent of maneuvers that could endanger the survival of national unity.

"Indonesia is not being ignored as a target and the signs are already apparent from among other things separatist movements, mass demonstrations by protesting workers along with clashed between groups including students. All kinds of efforts are being made so that Indonesia does not become an advanced country, but just remains a market", said Nurmantyo during a public lecture titled "The Role of Youth in Confronting the Proxy War" at the west auditorium at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in West Java on Wednesday August 30.

New conflicts for control will emerge in concert with the rapid pace of world population growth that is not being counterbalanced by the availability of food, clean water and energy. Control will not be sought through conventional wars, but rather through proxy wars where it is impossible to know friend from foe. Enemies will utilise and control non-state actors such as non-government organisations, mass organisations or individuals.

"Such a proxy war is being played out in the Ukraine [by those who] have their sights on the large oil deposits in the country", he said.

Nurmantyo quoted from a report on estimated energy needs by British Petroleum saying that in the future world interests will turn to the control of food and energy that are sourced from plants (bio-energy).

In 2030 the world's population is estimated to reach 11.6 billion people. Around 1.2 billion people live outside of equatorial regions who are seeking food, water and energy from the equatorial regions.

According to Nurmantyo, in terms of ownership of oil, gas and methane gas in Indonesia, it is currently being processed by foreign companies that have large amounts of capital, including among others the United States, Britain, Australia, Italy, China, Malaysia and Norway.

Nurmantyo also touched on tangible indications of proxy war in Indonesia, one of which was the loss of East Timor. Australia, which knew there were oil and natural gas reserves in the Timor Gap sought to control these oil reserves through the issue of human rights.

ITB Deputy Rector Kadarsah Suryadi said that what had been conveyed by Nurmantyo should serve as a warning for the need for a nationalist outlook. "Students don't just need an academic outlook but also a nationalist outlook", he said. (SEM)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Source: http://print.kompas.com/KOMPAS_ART0000000000000000006371940.

East Java workers descend on Surabaya to commemorate May Day

VIVA News - May 1, 2014

Ita Lismawati F. Malau, Tudji Martudji – Labour groups from various parts of East Java descended on the provincial capital of Surabaya on Thursday May 1 and gathered at the Grahadi State Building (the governor's office) to commemorate International Labour Day or May Day.

Several labour groups could be seen filling the Waru traffic circle entry-point on the boundary between Sidoarjo regency and Surabaya city. The workers will then move off to the Grahadi State Building on Jl. Gubernur Suryo.

The labour organisations that joined the commemorations included, among others, the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Federation (FSPMI), the National Trade Union (SPN) as well as other East Java trade unions, including the 'People's United Movement'.

East Java Labour Volunteers coordinator Jamaluddin said that the workers had several demands. "Decent wages, the abolition of contract labour and outsourcing systems and social security", said Jamaluddin when speaking with VIVA News on Thursday May 1.

The workers arrived in buses, trucks and motorcycles. As workers began to pack stretches of road in Surabaya, traffic jams built up at the Waru traffic circle where workers were arriving from Sidoarjo, Pasuruan, Mojokerto and surrounding areas. The other transit point being used by workers was in front of the Surabaya Zoo.

At the Negara Grahadi Building, police personnel were on alert safeguarding the roads used by workers commemorating this May Day 2014.

Source: http://nasional.news.viva.co.id/news/read/501100-massa-buruh-padati-surabaya.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Journalists call for decent wages, reject being 'media owners footstool'

Liputan6 - May 1, 2014

Jakarta – The commemoration of Labour Day was also used by the Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI). Along with other labour movement groups, the AJI took to the streets on Thursday May 1 carrying a giant replica of a shoe with the message "Journalist reject being the footstool of media owners!".

AJI member Wahyudi said that the replica shoe was a symbol of the many media employees in Jakarta that are paid a below standard monthly wage.

"Kepmenperindag [Industry and Trade Ministerial Decision] Number 121/2002 has become an issue that is very relevant in the context of transparency and a sense of justice for employees and companies", said Wahyudi at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta.

Yet he said the national spending on advertising this year increased by 20 percent to 140 trillion rupiah. The spending on political advertising on television for open campaigning between March 16 and April 5, 2014 reached 340 billion rupiah.

"Based on 2013 data, the national media has miserly in contribution these funds for the welfare of media employees. Most media [companies] in Indonesia outlay less than 30 percent of costs for their employees", said Wahyudi.

According to the AJI's calculations, a reasonable wage for new journalists in Jakarta in 2014 is 5.7 million rupiah a month. However out of the 55 media companies surveyed recently most pay new journalists who have worked for a year only around 3 million rupiah a month.

"We are appealing to media companies in particular that are paying sub-standard wages to comply with the Kepmenperindag 121/2002 as a form of transparency and responsibility to employees and the public", said Wahyudi. (Shinta NM Sinaga)

Source: http://news.liputan6.com/read/2044286/sepatu-raksasa-aji-injak-bundaran-hi.

[Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski for the Indoleft news service.]

Students and farmers join May Day action in Purwokerto

Tribune News - May 1, 2014

Fajar Eko Nugroho, Banyumas – Apparently International Labour Day 2014 is not just being commemorated by workers in different regions of Indonesia.

Students and farmers also joined the ranks of protesters commemorating the workers' struggle to win an eight-hour day at the beginning of the 19 Century. This is what was done by hundreds of students and farmers from Banyumas People's Struggle Front (FPR) in Central Java on Thursday May 1.

The FPR is an alliance made up of the National Student Front (FMN), the Banyumas Farmers Association (PPB), the Ampera State Accountancy College (Stan Ampera), the Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII), the Purwokerto Muhammadiyah University Student Executive Council (BEM UMP), the State College of Islamic Religious Studies (STAIN), the Muhammadiyah Students Association (IMM), the University of Soedirman Student Executive Council (BEM UNSOED), the Kathoza Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI Kathoza), the Islamic Students Association Faculty of Social and Political Science Commissariat (HMI Komisariat Fisip) and the Indonesian Students Association Organisational Saviours Council (HPI MPO).

Prior to holding the action at the Purwokerto square, the protesters held a long-march through Jl. Jenderal Soedirman demanding that the local government provide basic rights to the people, particularly farmers and workers.

"We demand that the Banyumas regent increase workers wages. We also call on the Banyumas regent to revoke the business permit for PT Rumpun Sari Antan Darmakradenan which has forcibly seized agricultural land from farmers", said FPR coordinator during the action.

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2014/05/01/petani-fpr-banyumas-ikut-aksi-may-day-di-alun-alun-purwokerto.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

These are the 10 worker demands for May Day 2014

Kompas - May 1, 2014

Jakarta – Hundreds of thousands of workers from an alliance of several trade unions will take to the streets to celebrate International Labour Day or May Day on May 1. Actions held in at least 20 of Indonesia's 33 provinces.

During the actions, the workers will convey 10 demands to employers and the government. Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) president Said Iqbal said that the 10 demands that will be conveyed by workers are related to problems of workers' welfare and outsourcing.

The 10 demands are as follows:

1. Increase the 2015 minimum wage by 30 percent and revise the reasonable living cost index (KHL) to include 84 items;
2. No exceptions on payment of the minimum wage;
3. Implement obligatory pension guarantees for workers by July 2015;
4. Implement universal healthcare guarantees by revoking Health Ministry Regulation Number 69/2013 on tariffs, replace the Indonesia-Case Based Groups (INA-CBG's) with a Fee for Service, audit the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) healthcare and work insurance fund;
5. Abolish outsourcing, particularly outsourcing in state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and promote all outsourcing workers to permanent employees;
6. Enact the draft law on Domestic Workers (PRT) and revise Migrant Worker (TKI) Protection Law Number 39/2004;
7. Revoke the Mass Organisation Law (UU Ormas) and replace it with the Draft Law on Association;
8. Promote honorary civil servants and teaches to become permanent state civil servants (PNS) and provide a 1 million rupiah per person per month from the state budget for honorary teachers.
9. Provide affordable public transport and housing for workers;
10. Implement a 12 year compulsory education program and scholarships for workers' children up until tertiary education level.

In Jakarta, the workers' demands will be read out at a rally in front of the State Palace. In other regions meanwhile, the demands will be conveyed in front of respective governor's offices. "After we gather at the HI [Hotel Indonesia] traffic circle protesters will march to the State Palace and present speeches with the Indonesian workers' 10 demands", said Iqbal in a press release received by Kompas on Thursday May 1.

Iqbal explained that the action will start at 10am and end at 7pm. In addition to the HI and the State Place, other locations that will be used for rallies will be the Jakarta governor's office and the Bung Karno Sports Stadium.

According to Iqbal, around 100,000 workers from Greater Jakarta will take part in the actions. In other provinces meanwhile, an estimated 500,000 workers will take part.

"Later, aside from the 100,000 workers, the May Day events will also be attended by 10,000 honorary teachers and honorary employees throughout Indonesia along with hundreds of student representatives", added Iqbal.

Source: http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2014/05/01/0823038/Ini.Sepuluh.Tuntutan.Buruh.pada.May.Day.2014.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Gresik workers threaten to boycott presidential election if demands not met

VIVA News - May 1, 2014

Muhammad Habib – Around 1,000 workers from the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance (KASBI) commemorated May Day on Thursday May 1 by blockading the Raya Manyar highway in Gresik city, East Java. The blockade caused hundreds of vehicles to be caught in a traffic jam extending several kilometres.

Carrying posters with their demands, the workers held a convoy led by motorcycles around Gresik city which ending at the regent's office. The workers called on the government to abolish outsourcing, rejected low wages, demanded social security, free education and healthcare.

Action coordinator Hakam said that the road blockade was an expression of their annoyance with the government which they said had failed to bring prosperity to its people, particularly workers. "The SBY-Boediono [President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Vice President Boediono] government has failed to bring prosperity to the people. Abolish outsourcing work systems", said Hakam in a speech.

The workers also threatened to boycott the presidential elections on July 9 if their demands were not met. After blockading the highway, the protesters continued their action by conducting a sweep of factories in the Gresik industrial zone looking for workers who were still on the job. (ren)

Source: http://nasional.news.viva.co.id/news/read/501073-tuntutan-tak-dipenuhi--buruh-gresik-ancam-boikot-pilpres.

[Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski for the Indoleft news service.]

Thousands of workers in Solo blockade road in front of city hall

Merdeka - May 1, 2014

Thousand of workers in the Central Java city of Solo took to the streets this morning to commemorate International Labour Day on Thursday May 1. The protesters even blockaded the main road between City Hall and the Gede market, although after negotiations with police they opened up one lane between the Gede market and the Surakarta (Solo) royal palace.

In speeches the workers demanded welfare improvements and rejected outsourcing. "We are calling for decent wages for workers' welfare. We also reject outsourcing systems. Abolish outsourcing systems right now", shouted one of the participants.

Endang Setyowati, the chairperson of the Indonesian Prosperous Labour Union 1992 (SBSI 92) Solo branch said that they also wanted to convey a message to the president. "In the name of the workers of greater Solo we convey a message to the president to restore the identity and life of the nation and state through [the state ideology of] Pancasila", he said.

The workers also demanded that the government revise the law on the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) saying it represented the capitalisation of the state against its citizens. "The BPJS is no more then the implementation of the capitalisation of state citizens", said Setyowati.

They also called on the president to end the politics of low wages which they said was a failure by the state of its responsibility to create social justice for all the Indonesian people.

A similar action was held by thousands of workers in the Central Java regency of Sukoharjo. Prior to giving speeches at the Satya Negara square the workers organised a convey from factory to factory.

During the action they made similar demands as the workers in Solo as well as condemning companies that failed to let employees have the day off for the May Day national holiday and instead provided enticements in the form of overtime pay.

Although the rally in Solo was quite lively, it proceeded in an orderly fashion and without incident. Hundreds of officers from the tactical police unit, anti-riot police and the district police were mobilised for the event.

Source: https://id.berita.yahoo.com/may-day-ribuan-buruh-solo-blokir-jalan-depan-055338600.html.

[Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski for the Indoleft news service.]

3,000 Semarang workers commemorate May Day with 'giant tumpeng'

Tribune News - May 1, 2014

Raka F Pujangga, Semarang – The Indonesian Trade Union Action Committee (Kasbi) and the Semarang branch of the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Federation (FSPMI) held a parade in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang which was joined by around 3,000 people on Thursday May 1.

During the action the demonstrators brought a giant 3-mere high replica of a ceremonial dish of yellow rice served in a cone shape (tumpeng). "This tumpeng means to represent our thankfulness, because today is commemorated as Labour Day", said Central Java FSPMI regional leadership board chairperson Agus Makmun.

Makmun said that today should become a momentum for unity in the midst of a series of problems that continue to undermine the welfare and existence of workers. "We hope that workers' welfare can improve through policies that do not marginalise workers", he said.

The parade, which began at the Sultan Agung Islamic University (Unissula), passed through Jl. Raden patah, Jl. Pemuda, Jl. Simpanglima and Jl. Pahlawan.

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2014/05/01/tiga-ribu-buruh-semarang-aksi-bawa-tumpeng-raksasa.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Surabaya workers call for Marsinah be declared a Workers Hero

Tribune News - May 1, 2014

Surya Mujib Anwar, Surabaya – Demonstrators from a number of different groups in East Java have begun arriving at the grounds of Governor Suryo in front of the State Grahadi building in the provincial capital of Surabaya on Thursday May 1.

The demonstrators come from several labour and student organisations such as the National Trade Union (SPN), the Indonesian National Students Movement (GMNI), the Republic of Indonesia Student Brigade (LAMRI), the Indonesian Labor Union Confederation (GASPERMINDO), the National Solidarity Committee (KSN), the DES Trade Union (SB DES) and the Populist Trade Union Federation (FSBK).

Andi Peci, one of the action coordinators, said that during the action to commemorate International Labour Day this year the group is rejecting low wages and demanding the immediate enactment of sectoral wages and the abolition of outsourcing.

"Aside from this, we the workers of Indonesia are also demanding that the government declare Marsinah to be a Workers Hero", asserted Peci, which was immediately followed cheers and cries of "Viva the Workers".

Notes

Marsinah was a women activist who was murdered on May 8, 1993 after leading a strike at a watch factory in Surabaya, East Java. She has since become a symbol and hero of the Indonesian labour struggle.

Source: https://id.berita.yahoo.com/buruh-surabaya-tuntut-marsinah-diresmikan-jadi-pahlawan-072759282.html.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Bandung workers reject contract labour, electricity rate hikes

Tempo - May 1, 2014

Risanti, Bandung – Commemorating International Labour Day on May 1, hundreds of workers from the All Indonesian Workers Union-Metal and Electronic Machinery Trade Union Federation (SPSI-FSP LEM) and the Bandung branch of the SPSI held a demonstration on the grounds of the West Java-Banten state electricity company (PLN).

"Labour Day is not a gift from the government, but a result of years of struggle by workers. Now we return to the struggle for workers' rights. All the best for Labour Day", said action coordinator Ajat Sudrajat in a speech in front of the PLN building on Thursday May 1.

During the action, the workers sought clarification from the PLN on electricity rate increases, which the workers believe will threaten the livelihood of contract workers. "Electricity rate hikes mean that the first victims will be contract workers, more wage problems, stalled production costs and finally dismissals", said Sudrajat to cheers from the other workers.

The workers also demanded that the government abolish contract labour and called for decent wages. The workers believe that contract labour systems only confuse the status of workers in order to squeeze more work out of them.

In addition to this, the workers also demanded that the government immediately improve healthcare services provided by the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) that have yet to be realised. According to the workers, the government is not yet ready to implement the BPJS program that began in January this year. "They say that the BPJS is in the interests of the Indonesian people, but up until now there is no evidence of this", said another action coordinator.

Source: http://www.tempo.co/read/news/2014/05/01/083574646/May-Day-Buruh-Tolak-Kenaikan-Tarif-Listrik.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Lampung workers oppose social security wage deductions

Saibumi.com - May 1, 2014

Aji Saktiyanto, Bandar Lampung – Workers holding a demonstration to commemorate International Labour Day at the Bandar Lampung Adipura Monument in the provincial capital of Lampung on May 1 demanded that their wages not be deducted as dues to pay for social security by the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS).

"The BPJS program should be covered by the government and not cut into workers' wages", said action coordinator Rajahot Sinterclause from the Lampung People's Movement (GRL) in a speech. The workers also demanded that the government raise the level of welfare that is still below standard.

"May workers who are paid a standard wage but the minimum wage is still too small", said Sinterclause who also called on the government to abolish contract labour and outsourcing systems.

The workers also demanded that the Lampung provincial government increase the provincial minimum wage by increasing the number of standard components that make up the reasonable living cost index (KHL) which currently comprises only 60 components.

Source: http://www.saibumi.com/artikel-3540-buruh-di-lampung-tuntut-upah-tidak-dipotong-untuk-bpjs.html.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Palembang journalists commemorate May Day

Tribune News - May 1, 2014

M Ardiansyah, Palembang – South Sumatran journalists held an action to commemorate May Day in Palembang city at the Fountain traffic circle on Thursday May 1.

The journalists expressed their concern over the failure of companies to side with workers. Carrying banners, the journalists continued the action despite the rainfall inundating the city.

The journalists also joined other workers who were holding an action at the traffic circle.

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2014/05/01/jurnalis-sumsel-gelar-aksi-memperingati-hari-buruh.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

4,000 workers take part in May Day actions in Medan

Detik News - May 1, 2014

Khairul Ikhwan, Medan – A demonstration commemorating Labour Day in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan was joined by around 4,000 workers. The action was centred at the Majestik traffic circle because government offices were closed for the May Day public holiday.

The May Day actions were held by labour organisations separately. On group demonstrated in the Medan Industrial Zone 2 (KIM), another group gathered at the Merdeka Field, while a third went directly to the Majestik traffic circle on Jl. Gatot Subroto.

Some of the workers did demonstrate at the South Sumatra Regional House of Representatives on Jl. Imam Bonjo and the governor's office on Jl. Diponegoro. However upon realising that the offices were closed, the protesters disbanded and moved off to the Majestik traffic circle.

In total the labour demonstrations in Medan were joined by an estimated 4 thousand people. They came from a number of labour organisations including the Trade Union Alliance, the North Sumatra Trade Union  (SBSU), the United Indonesian Trade Union (SBBI), the 1992 All Indonesia Trade Union (SBSI 92) and the Teplok Legal Aid Foundation.

The issues taken up at the actions were similar such as the problem of the lack of workers' welfare, outsourcing that must be abolished and various other issues. "The problem of workers' welfare has yet to become a concern for the government", said Erwin Manalu, one of the action coordinators in Medan on Thursday May 1.

The protest actions in Medan, which proceeded in an orderly fashion with protesters using various kinds of vehicles, were escorted by hundreds of police at each local action (rul/asp)

Source: http://news.detik.com/read/2014/05/01/140331/2570779/10/aksi-buruh-di-medan-diikuti-4-ribu-orang-dengan-tertib?9922032.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

May Day in Yogyakarta commemorated with street blockade and dance music

Detik News - May 1, 2014

Edzan Raharjo, Yogyakarta – Thousands of workers in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta took to the streets to commemorate Labour Day on Thursday May 1. The actions, which were held by several different labour organisations, were centred on the Jl. Malioboro shopping district, the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and the zero kilometre point.

An action held by the United People’s Coalition (KRB), which was joined by thousands of protesters, blockaded Jl. Malioboro then marched to the zero kilometre point resulting in unavoidable traffic congestion on Jl. Malioboro. Many vehicles had to re-routed while others who had already entered Jl. Malioboro had to use the slow lane.

An action by the Yogyakarta Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) meanwhile was held on the grounds of the Yogyakarta DPRD. The event presented dangdut music (popular music with strong Hindu type musical beat) and vocalist who made the workers loose themselves in dance.

"We elected to dance to dangdut, because today is a holiday for workers, so it was celebrated with happiness, but positive and didn't disturb other people", said action committee member Denta Juliant. The dangdut action was quite lively with workers cheering and singing dangdut songs that are popular at the moment.

The worker actions in Yogyakarta, among other things, demanded the abolition of contract labour and outsourcing systems, decent wages for workers and that workers be exempt from Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) fees.

Source: http://news.detik.com/read/2014/05/01/115516/2570689/10/hari-buruh-di-yogya-mulai-blokir-jalan-hingga-joget-dangdut.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Workers clash with police during May Day action in Makassar

Detik News - May 1, 2014

Muhammad Nur Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The commemoration of May Day in the Makassar Industrial Area (Kima) in South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar descended into chaos on Thursday May 1.

Around 100 workers from the Social Solidarity Action for the Indonesian People (Samurai) tried to force their way into a bread factory that was allegedly still operating on the May Day holiday.

The Samurai demonstrators damaged the factory fence and broke into the factory in Jl. Kapasa Raya. Earlier, they had clashed with police. The protesters were looking fro factory workers who were still working but were not able to find a single worker. Despite the clash, no workers were arrested during the incident.

In addition to the Kima complex, the Samurai protesters also held a free speech forum underneath the flyover on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo.

During the action, the demonstrators held their ground against officers from the Makassar municipal police who tried to block them from holding a protest action on the side of the road at the intersection of Jl. Urip Sumoharjo and AP Pettarani at the Reformasi toll road entrance.

Scores of officers from the tactical police unit (Samapta) erected a barricade to block the workers from entering the street. Because they were unable to enter they were forced to hold the action at the park under the flyover. (mna/asp)

Source: http://news.detik.com/read/2014/05/01/134902/2570770/10/aksi-may-day-di-pabrik-roti-makassar-diwarnai-kericuhan?nd771104bcj.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Acehnese trade unions mark May Day with marches, rally and prayers

Detik News - May 1, 2014

Agus Setyadi, Banda Aceh – A hundred or so workers in the Acehnese provincial capital of Banda Aceh held prayers on a main street for the close of demonstrations commemorating Labour Day in Aceh. The workers, who came from Acehnese trade unions, demanded welfare improvements and rejected low wages.

Prior to holding the action on Thursday May 1, hundreds of workers held a march from the Banda Aceh Grand Mosque towards the Simpang Lima traffic circle where they held a demonstration that began at 9.30am.

During the action, which was watched over by scores of police, they brought banners and flags of their respective trade unions. The workers, who came from various different companies took turns to convey their demands.

Action coordinator Habibi Insuen said that May Day, which is commemorated all over the world, is a historical milestone for the working class' battle against oppression that occurs because of poor working conditions, welfare levels that are still minimal and the lack of social security for job injuries.

"The labour movement in order to obtain its rights is not a rebellion or against the owners of capital, rather it is a certainly that is obtained after obligations and responsibilities have been met", said Insuen between speeches.

The workers, who came from several different trade unions, said Insuen, reject low wages and are calling for the Aceh provincial minimum wage (UMP) for 2015 to be increased by 30 percent, are calling on the government to promote honorary workers to become permanent state civil servants and for improvements to the welfare of health workers in Aceh.

In addition to this, they are also demanding that workers employed at state-owned enterprises be promoted to permanent employees and to be provided with the same pension guarantees as other workers. "Carry out deliberations and ratify a qanun (by-law) on labour that accommodates the interests of workers and employees in Aceh", he said.

After demonstrating for around one hour, the workers stopped giving speeches and sat on the main road to hold prayers. The action ended at around 11am. (mok/mok)

Source: http://news.detik.com/read/2014/05/01/124939/2570730/10/may-day-buruh-aceh-berdoa-di-jalan-raya?nd771104bcj.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Protesters hold 'Workers against Capitalism' theatrical action at DPR

Detik News - May 1, 2014

Idham Khalid, Jakarta – Workers from the National Trade Union Confederation (KSN) held a theatrical action at the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday May 1. The action was held in the context of the fight for workers' rights who they believe have yet to enjoy a decent life.

The theatrical action titled "Workers against Capitalism" began with a scene in which eight women agricultural workers and fisherpeople appeared with their hands tied by metal chains.

The ends of the chain were then picked up by an employer standing alongside arrogant looking male figures from the government, bureaucracy and security personnel. The security personnel sprayed the workers with water while the employer shoved the workers around then forced them to lie down. Other security personnel then interrogated them.

The demonstrators crowed around the theatrical action taking pictures with mobile phones. Other demonstrators meanwhile could be seen cheerfully taking photos with the DPR building in the background. (idh/slm)

Source: http://news.detik.com/read/2014/05/01/130808/2570744/10/buruh-gelar-aksi-teatrikal-di-depan-dpr-peserta-lainnya-berfoto-ria?nd771104bcj.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Jokowi presented with 'dark record' of abuses against women workers

Tempo - May 1, 2014

Atmi Pertiwi, Jakarta – Labour demonstrations have not just taken place in the main streets of the capital. In front of the official residence of Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo around 25 women workers from the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek) and the Central Java city of Yogyakarta from the Women's Action Committee (KAP) held a demonstration at 7am on Thursday May 1.

KAP spokesperson Estu Fanandi said they hoped to meet with Jokowi to discuss the plight of women workers in Jakarta. "We want to convey to him the real conditions of women workers in Jakarta", she said. "They [women workers] are close to the centre of power, but their living standards are no different from other areas".

During the action, the KAP brought a 1 metre square replica of the dark record of women workers in 2014 made out of Styrofoam. According to Fanandi the KAP, which is an alliance of 23 women's labour non-government organisations, have been compiling the record since last year.

The record is filled with complaints about the rights of women workers that they said have worsened every year. Fanandi gave the example of normative rights for women workers that have yet to be met such as menstruation leave, maternity leave, facilities for night work, safety and security guarantees, breast feeding facilities and allowances without discrimination.

"Yet these rights are guaranteed by the law on labour", she said. Moreover, said Fanandi, there are sill women workers who suffer sexual harassment. "By their superiors as well as male colleagues".

After the action at Jokowi's residence, the KAP will join with their colleagues in a demonstration at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta and then move on to the State Palace.

Source: https://id.berita.yahoo.com/buruh-perempuan-demo-jokowi-023732138.html.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Traumatised by outsourcing, workers reject Jokowi for president

Liputan6.com - May 1, 2014

Sunariyah, Jakarta – Workers apparently are still traumatised by the administration of former President Megawati Sukarnoputri. Although more than 10 years have passed, they still recall several of Megawati's policies that brought suffering to workers. One of these was the policy on outsourcing that is still in force to this day.

Anton Siregar, the Bekasi regional leadership board public relations officer from the Solidarity Alliance for Labour Struggle (GSPB), said that although workers have yet to determine which presidential candidate to support in July, they will not support Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo or Jokowi from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

"We don't want Jokowi. He's from the PDI-P right. We know about the past during Mega[wait]'s era when outsourcing was established", said Siregar during an action at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Thursday May 1.

The other reason workers oppose supporting Jokowi is because they believe that he will only become a puppet that will be controlled by Megawati. This said Siregar will cause workers to be abused as they were when Megawati was in power.

"We don't want a Jokowi controlled by Mega, so we won't give our vote to Jokowi. We don't truest the political parties", he said.

With regard to the kind of presidential candidate that the GSPB would like, Siregar said that they had not thought about it yet. "Not yet. None have appeared yet. But for Jokowi, we can't expect much", he concluded. (Sss)

Source: http://news.liputan6.com/read/2044282/trauma-outsourcing-lahir-era-mega-buruh-tak-dukung-jokowi-capres.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Labour groups call for establishment of alternative political party

Tribune News - May 1, 2014
 

Arif Wicaksono, Jakarta – Labour organisations are proposing the establishment of an alternative political party that would take up pro-people programs for the Indonesian nation. Up until now, there has been no political party that has been capable of providing welfare for the ordinary Indonesian people.

"This represents our mistrust of the existing political parties in Indonesia", said Santoso, a member of the Joint Labour Secretariat (Sekber Buruh) and the Political Alternative Committee (KPA) in Jakarta on Thursday May 1.

Santoso said that there are several issues that would be embodied in an alternative political party such as workers rights to a decent minimum national wage and the abolition of outsourcing. "This would include the provision of subsidies for the people such as for education, healthcare, food, energy, housing and transportation", he said.

The establishment of such an alternative political party would also be to build political unity in order to be able to fight injustice against workers, and to build a working class and people's political force as a tool of joint political struggle.

The Sekber Buruh and the KAP are made up of a number of different organisations including the Indonesian Workers Federation of Struggle (FPBI), the National Labour Movement Centre (SGBN), the Indonesian Workers Federation (FPI) and the Solidarity Alliance for Labour Struggle (GSPB).

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2014/05/01/organisasi-buruh-usulkan-partai-alternatif.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Tangerang workers take 'blood sucking octopus' to State Palace

Liputan6 - May 1, 2014

Tangerang – Thousands of workers in Tangerang, Banten province celebrated May Day by bringing a 3-metre effigy of an octopus to the State Palace in Central Jakarta. They also brought a 1.5 metre wide soccer trophy.

The Octopus effigy wore a red hat with a white star. On the hat was a poster with the message "The tentacles of capitalism, blood sucker of the working class".

"This symbol rejects outsourcing. The octopus will be carried during the protest action, and then set alight", said Sunarno, a representative of the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance (KASBI) in the Tangerang city Batu Ceper warehousing complex on Thursday May 1.

Sunarno said that the workers will ride a convoy of 20 buses from Tangerang to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, then march to the nearby State Palace. Others would arrive by motorcycle.

"There are around 5 thousand workers. Not just from Tangerang city, but also from Tangerang regency and South Tangerang city", said Sunarno.

Demands

The workers are demanding the reestablishment of the Jamsostek Social Security Program because the recently introduced Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) healthcare and labour program is ridden with manipulation.

"When we were still covered by Jamsostek, the cost of medical treatment was free. There was no burden of buying medicines or other things", said Suwarso, the coordinator of the 1992 All Indonesia Trade Union (SBSI 92) for the Tangerang area.

"Now, only the treatment is free. We bear the cost of medicines", he said. Suwarso said that they are demanding that the BPJS be evaluated and Jamsostek reinstated.

The workers will also give speeches rejecting electricity tariff increases that will not just create difficulties for employers but will also be the trigger for mass dismissals. "That's already automatic. We explicitly reject it", asserted Suwarso. (Shinta NM Sinaga)

Source: http://news.liputan6.com/read/2044261/buruh-gotong-boneka-gurita-kapitalis-ke-istana.

[Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski for the Indoleft news service.]

West Papuan students in Bandung use May Day to call for self-determination

Okezone - May 1, 2014

Oris Riswan, Bandung – There was a different aspect to a workers protest action at the governor's office in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on Thursday May 1. Amongst the hundreds of protesting workers, there was a group of students calling themselves the Papua Student Alliance (AMP).

Unlike the workers who were demanding welfare improvements, the students demanded the freedom and right to self-determination for the Papuan people because they have been living in the midst of violence and backwardness. "To this day Indonesia is still pursuing a colonialist policy towards the Papuan people", said action coordinator Wenas.

This exploitation the group said has brought no positive impact for the Papuan people. What has in fact happened instead is the people have become victims of violence and other negative actions. "We demand an end to exploitative activities by companies there", he said.

During the action, the protesters brought several large banners, one of which had the message "The right to self-determination, the democratic solution for the Papuan people". They also brought several photographs of victims of violence in Papua. The group demonstrated for less then an hour then left the location peacefully. (ton)

Source: http://bandung.okezone.com/read/2014/05/01/526/978610/beda-tuntutan-mahasiswa-papua-demo-di-tengah-massa-buruh.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Jakarta protesters say presidential hopeful Jokowi doesn't side with workers

VIVA News - May 1, 2014

Desy Afrianti, Stella Maris – In a speech in front of the State Palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara in Central Jakarta, Sri, the general secretary of the Association of Independent Trade Unions (GSBI) asserted that workers would not support Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo alias Jokowi as the next president of the Republic of Indonesia.

Sri was speaking at a protest action commemorating International Labour Day or May Day on Thursday May 1. "We will not vote for Jokowi, because he doesn't side with workers. We continue to be oppressed", she said. According to Sri, if in the future Jokowi is elected as president, the fate of workers would only be to change from one oppressor to another.

Despite this, Sri acknowledged in her speech that this is not intended to influence other workers to not voting for Jokowi. However, she said, her speech was based on the facts. "The choice is up to each individual. However whoever is chosen right now will influence the next five years", she said.

It is known that Jakarta workers are dissatisfied with a decision by Jokowi setting the 2014 provincial minimum wage (UMP) at 2.4 million rupiah a month. Workers believe this figure is inappropriate and far from what they had hoped, and are continuing to demand that the UMP be raised to 3.7 million rupiah.

Source: http://politik.news.viva.co.id/news/read/501125-demo-di-istana--buruh-tolak-jokowi-jadi-presiden.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]