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.]