Workers Demand the Revoking of the Job Creation Law and the Protection of Work Partners

In an action commemorating May Day, workers urged the government to eradicate violence and harassment in the work environment.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

One of the posters brought by activists to commemorate International Women's Day in the Arjuna Wijaya Statue area, Jakarta, Friday (8/3/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Thousands of workers demonstrated to commemorate World Labor Day or May Day, Wednesday (1/5/2024). In this demonstration around the Arjuna Wijaya Statue, near the National Monument, workers demanded the repeal of the Job Creation Law, ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Law, rejection of low wages, elimination of the outsourcing work system, and protection of workers in partnership relationships.

Workers have crowded this area since 08.00 WIB. They come in groups by bus or on foot.

Laborers carried various posters filled with complaints, such as urging the government to ratify the 2019 ILO Convention 190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the Workplace. These posters also voiced out the failure of the state to provide justice for workers, combat bureaucratic capitalists, and dismantle the labor mafia.

Also read: Protests Color the Commemoration of World Labor Day in Jakarta and Other Cities

"Long live Indonesian women," shouted an orator from the Indonesian Women's Action command car.

"Pay women's work properly," answered the action participants.

KOMPAS

Commemorating Labor Day, demonstrations will be held at various points in Jakarta

They then raised high the red cloth and posters containing various stories while blowing whistles. This goes on for 10 seconds.

”Women's lives. Long live the workers," shouted the protest participants.

The action ends with a rocking kewer-kewer. Participants enthusiastically danced under the heat and heat of Jakarta to voice their rights as workers.

Pay women's work properly.

"The red cloth and whistle serve as a sign or reminder to the government that the situation is already an emergency. Workers, especially women, experience discrimination and violence," said field coordinator of Indonesian Women's Action, Salsa.

Just like other worker alliances or unions, the Indonesian Women's Action Movement wants to eliminate exploitation in the workplace and provide fair wages for workers.

On the other hand, around 100 participants of the protest were disappointed as their access to the Presidential Palace was blocked by security officers. They regretted this because the protest was not unusual. They only wanted to convey demands or aspirations.

"At the very least, our rights should reach those in power. However, this is being hindered. It can be interpreted that the government is not yet willing to embrace our aspirations," he said.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Workers held an action to commemorate International Women's Day in the Arjuna Wijaya Statue area, Jakarta, Friday (8/3/2024).

On this May Day commemoration, the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) demands the repeal of the Job Creation Law and the elimination of outsourcing while rejecting low wages.

KSPI President Said Iqbal stated that the real value of implementing a minimum wage tends to decrease from year to year. The percentage increase in the minimum wage also tends to always be below inflation. In addition, in several industrial cities, the increase in the minimum wage is almost nonexistent.

Also read: When Gymnastics Workers Work Together to Commemorate Labor Day

Several companies also easily terminate permanent employees. Instead, the companies recruit outsourcing employees with cheaper wages.

The practice of outsourcing work systems is currently increasingly widespread. Moreover, there are no clear restrictions on types of work.

These issues underlie KSPI's demands. In addition to protesting at the Arjuna Wijaya statue, the demonstrators will shift to the Madya Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan.