Debbie Sutrisno, Bandung – Scores of students from various universities in Bandung held a protest action at the West Java Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) building on Friday May 1. They took to the streets to commemorate International Workers' Day.
On this year's May Day in Bandung, it was not workers that took to the streets to convey their aspirations, but rather it was students. They arrived at the Gedung Sate (governor's office) area at around 4.30 pm wearing alma mater jackets and one by one, participants began delivering speeches.
Dika, a student representative from the Muhammadiyah University, stated that the students' presence was a form of support for workers, who they consider are not yet prosperous.
"Every year, the 1st is designated as Labour Day, where the breath and struggle of workers will never end and of course every year there are demands to bring prosperity to workers", Dika said at the DPRD building on Jalan Diponegoro.
During today's demonstration, the students took up a number of demands. The demands highlighted included inadequate wages for workers and the abolition of outsourcing.
"First, pass a new Labour Law. Second, abolish outsourcing and the low-wage regime. Third, stop mass PHK [layoffs] and control imports. Fourth, reform taxes, pass the Domestic Worker Protection Law (PPRT) and abolish the THR [holiday bonus] tax", Dika continued.
Dika also hopes that members of parliament will listen to the people's aspirations, especially regarding labour issues.
"Our actions tirelessly convey our aspirations to the honourable council, this is our hope that perhaps not only are they heard, not only written down neatly, but that there is follow-up action", said Dika.
"I stand here on behalf of my father, a worker, and I hope the DPR [national House of Representatives] will hear my aspirations. That the DPR will hear our aspirations as labourers and students", they concluded.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Tanpa Buruh, Puluhan Mahasiswa Bandung Gelar Aksi May Day di DPRD Jabar".]
