Not happy: Indonesian labour organisations demonstrating during a May Day rally in Jakarta. — Reuters
WORKERS in Indonesia marked the international Labour Day with rallies in major cities across South-East Asia’s largest economy. About 50,000 workers were expected to take part in traditional May Day marches in the capital, Jakarta, according to the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions, which represents 32 labour unions.
Thousands still angry at the new Job Creation Law gathered near the National Monument waving colourful flags of labour groups and banners with demands.
They later marched to the Constitutional Court and near the heavily guarded Presidential Palace to demand the repeal of the legislation.
More than 6,000 police personnel, backed by soldiers, were deployed to secure the capital and authorities blocked streets leading to the compound.
The Job Creation Law amended more than 70 previous laws and was intended to improve bureaucratic efficiency as part of efforts by President Joko Widodo’s administration to attract more investment. But critics remain unhappy, saying it will still benefit business at the expense of workers and the environment.
“Job Creation Law must be repealed for the sake of working situation improvement,” said protester Sri Ajeng.
“It’s only oriented to benefit employers, not workers.”
Similar rallies were also held in Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and other cities in the country.
They called on the government to pay more attention to Indonesian migrant workers overseas and make every effort to stop human trafficking and job outsourcing.
In Japan, May Day celebrations in Tokyo and elsewhere were held over the weekend without any pandemic-related restrictions for the first time in four years. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended a Saturday event at a Tokyo park, which drew thousands of workers, politicians and representatives from major unions.
“I am taking part today because I want to build on the momentum towards higher wages. The most important goal in my ‘new capitalism’ policy is higher wages,” Kishida told the crowd.
The new capitalism programme pushed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party centres around the private sector and the government working together to get the Japanese economy growing. Unionised workers have been pushing to win wage increases amid inflationary pressures.
At Tokyo’s Yoyogi park, thousands of labour union members, opposition lawmakers and academics gathered yesterday for the May Day event, demanding wage increases to offset the impact of rising costs while their lives are still recovering from the damages of the pandemic.
Monday’s May Day rally was held separately and organised by liberal-leaning groups.
Union leaders said government measures for salary increases are insufficient to catch up with rising prices, and workers’ real wages have continued to decline.
They criticised Kishida’s plan to double the defence budget, which requires tax increases in coming years, and said the money should be spent on welfare and social security and improve the people’s daily lives.
“We oppose major military expansion and tax increase, and demand a large-scale wage increase that exceeds price increase,” said Yoshinori Yabuki, head of Tokyo Regional Council of Trade Unions, one of organisers.
“Let’s keep fighting as we workers unite and seek peace and democracy in Japan.”
Participants chanted “Gambaro!” meaning, “Let’s do our best!” before they took to the street for a march. — AP
