Jakarta – Sunarno, chairperson of the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation (KASBI), explained the reasons his organisation did not participate in the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta on Friday May 1.
Sunarno stated that this decision was taken not because they hate the government, but because they see the current labour conditions in Indonesia as still being very bad.
"Indeed we deliberately held the action at the DPR [House of Representatives] building, not at Monas with the President. We were also invited, but that doesn't mean we, what, hate the government or anything like that", said Sunarno during an audience with the DPR leadership at the parliamentary complex in Central Jakarta on Friday.
"But, given the situation that is occurring at the moment or the current labour situation which is still very bad, we still want to voice the aspirations of our comrades at the grassroots level", he continued.
On that occasion, Sunarno also conveyed a number of demands being raised in this year's May Day commemoration. First, regarding the drafting of a new Labour Law (UU Ketenagakerjaan) as a follow-up to the Constitutional Court (MK) ruling last year mandating an overhaul of the country's labour laws.
"We ask the DPR to immediately deliberate a pro-worker Labour Law that involves trade unions elements. Because if it doesn't involve trade union elements, we feel that in substance it will definitely not align with the demands of workers up until now", he said.
Then, regarding the wage system in Indonesia, Sunarno asked the government and DPR to work together to address the disparity in workers' wages in Indonesia. Sunarno also raised the issue of outsourcing systems, contract labour, internships and perhaps even casual daily workers.
Another issue that was also highlighted is the ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 188 on fisheries, marine and maritime workers and the ratification of ILO Convention 190, as Indonesia has not yet ratified the convention on acts of violence or harassment in the workplace.
"So, should our government be able to ratify these", said Sunarno.
The May Day Fiesta at Monas, which was attended by President Prabowo Subianto, was led by representatives from the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) labour alliance and the Labour Party led by Said Iqbal, the Confederation of All-Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPSI) led by Andi Gani Nena Wea, the Confederation of All-Indonesian Trade Unions (KSBSI) led by Elly Rosita Silaban and others. (dis/kid)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "KASBI Ungkap Alasan Tak ke May Day di Monas yang Dihadiri Prabowo".]
