Muhammad Iqbal Al Fardi, Semarang – May Day or Labour Day protesters held a demonstration in front of the Central Java (Jateng) governor's office on Jalan Pahlawan in Semarang city this afternoon. They brought a number of demands and took up 11 national and four local issues.
Based on Detik Jateng's monitoring at the location on Friday May 1 at 2.10 pm, crowds could be seen gathering and bringing with them a number of banners containing demands for this year's Labour Day.
There were banners that read "abolish contract labour and outsourcing" and "fight union busting". There was also a banner that said "realise child-friendly daycare for Jepara regency workers".
They also carried their respective union flags. There was also an effigy with a pig's head and a human body wearing a black suit, tie and white shirt.
"Raise our flags, comrades all", said one of the speakers. This invitation was accompanied by the music Kolam Susu (Pond of Milk) written by the band Koes Plus.
"Long live the workers! We need to convey that we are taking up 11 national issues and four local issues. The most important thing for May Day today is to immediately ratify a [new] Labor Law in accordance with Constitutional Court ruling 168 of 2023. [Which mandates that] the government must make a new law within two years. In 2026 in October it must be passed, comrades", said one of the speakers.
Meanwhile, in a written statement, the Central Java Regional Police (Polda Jateng) said it had deployed 1,133 personnel to secure the action.
"In securing May Day this year, the Polda Jateng deployed 1,133 personnel consisting of regional police officers and operational control assistance (BKO) from a number of Polres [district police]. In addition, 360 TNI [Indonesian Military] personnel from the Semarang city Kodim [District Military Command] were also involved in the security, who were deployed at various action points and vital objects, including gas stations and other strategic locations", explained Regional Police Chief Inspector General Ribut Hari Wibowo in a written statement on Friday. (1/5).
Wibowo explained that the police are committed to overseeing activities to convey people's aspirations at the May Day commemoration.
"Polda Central Java are here to monitor and provide the best service to people who express their aspirations. I don't want any acts of violence carried out by members in the field. Prioritise a persuasive and communicative approach", said Wibowo.
"If there is a provocation, just secure it according to the rules. There must be no action outside the procedures. Control yourself and maintain your position, because what we bear is the good name of the institution", he continued.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Massa Aksi May Day Orasi di Depan Kantor Gubernuran Semarang".]
