Shinta M Sinaga/Fitri & HY, Jakarta – Around six thousands workers are set to march along the streets of Jakarta to celebrate May Day – International Labour Day - on May 1st, 2001. On that day, all employers are urged to give their workers the day off.
"Directors of state companies, non government organisations, foundations, and institutions should respect May Day and give their workers their right to take a day off," May 1st Action Committee spokesperson, Surya Tjandra told Detik Jakarta, Wednesday.
Surya said the workers will hold the rally at the Monas National Monument between 10.00 and 13.00 local time. After that, they will march to the Parliament building and stage another demonstration until 17.00 local time.
Who can be called as workers? "Every person who works for an employer and receives a pay check, including me. So, they are not only factory workers. Therefore, ask for a day off and we'll march together to call for a betterment of the nation," called Surya According to Surya, May Day aims to remind the people, the political elite and the government that, amidst the democracy euphoria, workers' issues remain untouched and marginalised.
"It has been three years since the downfall of Suharto but the government and political elite are still preoccupied with gaining a safe position for themselves. The workers remain forgotten and we are trapped in debt with the deal between Indonesia and the IMF," Surya lamented.
As a result of the agreement, added Surya, the government's subsidy to the people no longer receives attention. As the government shifts its focus on settling debts, the already impoverished workers are burdened with skyrocketing living costs.
"Therefore, we are going to demand the government make a commitment and take the side of the workers. Quite frankly, the workers have to survive on barely nothing," Surya added.
"The action will not only take place in Jakarta, but also Medan, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Manado and Makassar as well as other regions that have representatives or unions," explained Surya.
On May Day, Surya said, the workers will demand protection from intervention of the security personnel, violence and hooliganism. They will also voice their rejection of all forms of worker politics from the New Order era, the elimination of contract workers, investigation into the New Order government officials who have been oppressive towards the workers, cutting ties with International Monetary Fund and the elimination of debt.
"Indonesia is too proud to ask for the elimination of debt, whereas Germany asked for an elimination of debt as soon World War II in 1945 ended. The Philippines has also done the same thing recently. There is the mechanism, but it turns out the ruler in Indonesia chose to sell his nation," lamented Surya.
"This is ironic. I suspect, there is political interest from the rulers to get close to the world's funds and donor countries. Hence, it is those at the grass roots who suffer the crisis and also pay for the debt. Tragic," Surya asserted.
Therefore, Surya calls all workers to unite and march to resonate their demands on May Day, so that all parties can contemplate on the large issue which has been forgotten and has gone unnoticed.