Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta – May Day was also commemorated by hundreds of workers in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta with demands for the abolition of contract labour, wage increases and for May 1 to be designated as a national holiday.

The protest action, which was organised by workers from the Yogyakarta Labour Alliance (ABY), an alliance of labour movement and trade union organisations, was concentrated in the vicinity of the Yogyakarta Monument, the Malioboro business district and the Yogyakarta central post office.

May Day in Yogyakarta was also commemorated by the Yogyakarta National Student Front (FMN), the Yogyakarta Indonesian Youth Student Front (FPPI), the People's Struggle Front (FPR) and farmers from the Kulonprogo Beach Land Farmers Association (PPLP). Although organised separately, the different groups took turns in holding actions in the Malioboro area.

A number of posters and banners were also unfurled during the actions with messages such as "Reject and abolish contract systems", "Workers on not cash cows", "Increase workers' wages", "Reject ACFTA" and "Social welfare for Workers".

ABY chairperson Tigan Solin said that during an earlier demonstration at the Sleman regent's office in Beran, they had reminded the government and employers to pay attention to workers' rights such as the right to leave, social welfare, healthcare and the abolition of contract systems.

He also said that workers throughout Indonesia have declared their opposition to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) agreement because it will result in mass dismissals, noting that many workers are already being dismissed without receiving severance pay. He added that they also rejected any legislation that oppress workers or that are pro-employer. (djo/djo)

[Abridged translation by James Balowski.]