Indonesian Workers Urge Government to Realize Nawacita

JAKARTA - This day, thousands of Indonesian workers, staging a rally in commemoration of International Labor Day or called May Day, on Monday.

Indonesian Workers Association (Aspek), one of group labour which rally in this day call on President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to realize the Nine-Priority (Nawacita) commitments in the field of employment.

Aspek Indonesia President Director, Mirah Sumirat remarked that President Jokowi had vowed to fulfill the Nawacita commitments for the provision of sustainable employment, and thus, he must realize them.

"President Jokowi must immediately stop the planned closure of labor-intensive projects, as it will result in the layoffs of thousands of workers. The plan runs counter to the Nawacita commitments since it will lead to increased unemployment," she pointed out.

Under the Nawacita commitments made by President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, the first is to return the state to its task of protecting all citizens and providing a safe environment that includes protection of migrant workers.

Separated, Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) demands social security and pension guarantee equivalent as civil servants (PNS).

President of KSPI, Said Iqbal said, laborers also demanded workers' retirement benefits equal to 60 percent of their final salary, as well as the refusal of low wages by revoking Government Regulation No.78 of 2015 on Remuneration which eliminates the right of negotiating unions in wage increases.

"For example, in 2017 a wage in one month is worth only one kebab in Europe, the issue is sticking back because in two years the government has failed to prosper the workers," Said said.