Demonstrations Color the Commemoration of World Labor Day in Jakarta and Other Cities

One of the demands of the 2024 World Labor Day action in Indonesia is the repeal of the Job Creation Law.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

Crowds from various labor unions and student organizations held a rally next to the Arjuna Wijaya statue in Jakarta on Wednesday (1/5/2019). They demanded the revocation of Government Regulation No. 78 of 2015.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A number of demonstrations and speeches by labor groups will mark the commemoration of World Labor Day or May Day, Wednesday (1 /5/2024). Actions will be held in a number of big cities, especially Jakarta. The repeal of the Job Creation Law, rejection of low wages, elimination of the outsourcing work system, and protection of workers in partnership relationships are some of the topics that will be discussed.

The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), for example, is certain to hold a demonstration on May Day 2024. KSPI President Said Iqbal, Tuesday (30/4/2024), in Jakarta said that 200,000 confederation members would take part in the action in several industrial cities. In Jakarta, the demonstration will be centered in front of the State Palace at 09.30–12.30 WIB. Participants will then move to the Madya Senayan Stadium, Jakarta.

KSPI has put forward two demands, namely revoking the Job Creation Law and eliminating outsourcing with low wages. KSPI has nine reasons for voicing these two demands, one of which is the application of a minimum wage whose real value tends to decrease from year to year.

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Since the implementation of the Job Creation Law four years ago, Said observed, the percentage increase in the minimum wage has tended to always be below inflation. In some industrial cities, minimum wage increases have been almost non-existent.

Since the Job Creation Law, he continued, a number of companies have found it easy to terminate permanent employees. Instead, they recruit outsourcing employees who receive lower wages.

“The current practice of outsourcing work systems is increasingly widespread. "There are no clear restrictions on types of work," said Said.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

Banners and various posters from Sindikasi were displayed as one of the voices of millennial aspirations during the International Labor Day 2019 commemoration.

Separately, the General Chairman of the Congress of the Indonesian Labor Union Alliance (KASBI) Sunarno said that KASBI, which is part of the Collective Alliance of Labor Movements Together with the People, will also hold a demonstration. This alliance consists of 30 organizations, including KASBI.

According to him, the gathering point for the alliance's action is located at the Dukuh Atas Bridge (BNI Station) Jalan Sudirman, Jakarta. They will gather starting at 10.00 WIB. From the gathering point at Dukuh Atas Bridge, they made a long march to the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, the International Labor Organization (ILO) office, and finally in front of the Presidential Palace.

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The number of protesters, as claimed by Sunarno, is around 10,000 people. They come from Jakarta, Banten, and West Java. Several crucial issues in the Job Creation Law that have negative impacts on welfare, such as work system flexibility, have become one of the protest topics.

"The maximum time limit for fixed-term employment contracts (PKWT) which was previously regulated in Law No. 13 of 2003 on Employment was a maximum of 3 years with one contract extension of 2 years and an additional maximum of 1 year. Now, the maximum duration for employment contracts has been extended to 5 years," he said.

Sunarno also expressed that the termination process of employment (PHK) currently can only be done through notification by the employer to the employee without prior negotiation. The severance pay given to the laid-off workers also tends to become smaller.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Workers held a peaceful protest while celebrating International Workers' Day or May Day in the Patung Kuda area, MH Thamrin street, Jakarta on Monday (1/5/2023). Among their demands were the revocation of the Job Creation Law and the approval of the Bill on Protection of Domestic Workers.

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the Online Motorcycle Taxi Union Network Triono stated that the network will participate in the May Day 2024 demonstration. The gathering point for the demonstration will be in front of the entrance to Gambir Station.

The current practice of outsourcing work systems is increasingly widespread.

Next, the Online Motorcycle Taxi Union Network will march towards the United States Embassy as a show of solidarity for Palestine. The rally will end in front of the statue of the Horse Arjuna Wiwaha.

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In front of the Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue, according to him, a mass of online motorcycle taxi drivers will perform a theatrical action while voicing the importance of protecting workers in a partnership relationship. "We are also part of the working class," he said.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO (PRI)

Online motorcycle taxi drivers prepare to deliver passengers from the shelters that have been provided near Palmerah Station, Jakarta, Tuesday (19/3/2024). The Ministry of Manpower has stated that online motorcycle taxi drivers and logistics couriers are entitled to religious holiday allowances (THR).

The General Chairman of the Media and Creative Industry Workers Union for Democracy (Sindikasi), Ikhsan Raharjo, announced that Sindikasi will hold speeches and feature street angklung artists beginning at 10:00 AM in Jakarta. The location is across from Grha BNI, Dukuh Atas, Central Jakarta.

"About 150-200 members will participate. There are campus labor union friends who want to join the ranks. Our speech is about the importance of recognition and legal protection for workers, especially freelance and young workers," said Ikhsan.

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The Indonesian Muslim Workers Confederation (Sarbumusi) does not want to be left behind. The president of Sarbumusi, Irham Saifuddin, said that Sarbumusi members will hold a demonstration outside Jakarta. Meanwhile, the central board chose to hold a discussion on worker welfare.

"Since the beginning, we have been firm in rejecting the Job Creation Law, even since the proposal stage from the government to the Parliament. We believe that this law is more oriented towards market-friendly labor policies with a strong neoliberal character," he said.

The Sarbumusi Confederation is urging the new government to open up social dialogue to evaluate and revise the existing employment clusters in the Job Creation Law.