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.]