Involve the Public as Widely as Possible

If politics were mathematics, the Omnibus Bill on Job Creations would definitely be completed and passed by the House of Representatives. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo hopes the law will be completed in 100 days.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

A labor activist holds up a poster that reads, “The omnibus law and corona both kill”, during a protest on Wednesday (12/2/2020) at the House of Representatives in Senayan, Jakarta. The protesters objected to the omnibus bill on job creation, which they claimed would sacrifice workers welfare for the sake of investment.

After being hidden for a long time, the substance of the omnibus bill on job creation is becoming apparent. President Jokowi has submitted a presidential letter and the draft of the bill to the House.

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As reported by Kompas on Thursday, several articles in the omnibus bill on job creation appear to favor the interests of investors to the detriment of workers. The obligation of employers to provide severance pay to workers is reduced, even though the government provides other compensation.

The bill is intended to facilitate economic transformation. The government believes that increased investment will employ 7 million people who do not have work. That outlook is positive. However, how can balance be found between investors and workers? Worker welfare must not be forgotten. The government’s stance is important. As the philosopher Thrasymachus once said, "The law can be an instrument of legitimacy for those in power. Meanwhile, for those who are weak, the law is powerless to defend."

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo leads a limited meeting on the draft omnibus bill on job creation at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, Wednesday (15/1/2020).

Bambang Kesowo reminded the public about issues of power in an article on Thursday in Kompas titled "Omnibus Passengers". "They are happy, while we are naked. As a method, the omnibus does not necessarily mean \'the universal broom,\' and it is also far from the meaning of commotion."

The deliberation on the bill should not be rushed. All parties must be involved, including workers, not just their leaders. Various groups must be heard in order to guard public opinion.

As written in the vision and mission of President Jokowi and Ma\'ruf Amin, the government wants to build a labor and wage system that can improve worker welfare while increasing national competitiveness. Is the omnibus bill on job creation in accordance with the President\'s vision and mission?

As the President has declared his political position on the bill, the public has to rely on the House. The political parties\' collective conscience is knocked. Will House politicians just agree with the will of power, or will they listen to the aspirations and interests of workers and other community groups? This nation needs investment, but it cannot sacrifice the fate of workers. Public consultation needs to be opened as widely as possible so that there are no blocked aspirations.