Rezki Alvionitasari, Jakarta – Thousands of workers commemorated International Labour Day today, Monday May 1, by gathering in front of the National Monument (Monas) gates on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan and Jl. M. H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta and at the nearby Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle.
The protesters from the Indonesian Multi-Sector Trade Union Federation (FSPASI) led the march from Monas to the HI traffic circle. The demonstrators at the front of the march held up banners reading, "Jokowi [President Joko Widodo]-JK [Vice President Jusuf Kalla] have Failed to Bring Prosperity to the People".
Following them was a command vehicle and a vehicle from the Indonesian Trade Union Association (ASPEK).
A number of rally participants brought their organisational flags such as the red-and-white flags of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) and the Indonesian Cement Workers Trade Union Federation (FSPSI).
Participants from the National Workers Union (SPN) meanwhile only marched around two lanes on Jl. M. H. Thamrin then returned to the nearby Arjuna Wiwaha Horse Statue.
KSPI president Said Iqbal said that one of the KSPI's demands on International Labour Day was calling on the government to abolish outsourcing and apprenticeships. "Abolish outsourcing and apprenticeships which is rampant", he said on Jl. M. H. Thamrin.
According to Iqbal apprenticeships are simply another form of outsourcing. The KSPI also rejects low wages and is calling on the government to revoke Government Regulation 28/2015 and reject revisions to Law Number 13/2003 on Labour.
The demonstrators however were unable to enter the area near the State Palace because access from Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat and Thamrin had been blocked off.
"The KSPI has already submitted a notification to the national police headquarters stating that site for our protest would be the Palace", he said.
Iqbal said he regretted the different treatment afforded to the May Day rally and the 212 Action [by Islamic hard-liners against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama].
[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Hari Buruh 2017, Demo Buruh: Hapus Outsourcing dan Pemagangan".]