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Riau experiences calm Labor Day as other regions see lots of rallies
Jakarta Post - May 2, 2014
"We refrained from rallying for the sake of national stability ahead of the presidential election," said Nursal.
Instead, the Riau chapter of the SPSI carried out a discussion with the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) and the provincial administration on ways to improve the welfare of workers.
However, Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI) Riau chapter coordinator Patar Sitanggang said that although Labor Day was not marred by protests, it did not mean that the government had shirked its responsibilities over the fate of workers.
"The provincial administration has tended to turn a blind eye although the standard of living of workers in Riau is still far below expectations. SBSI recorded that only the plantation and oil and gas sectors had implemented the minimum wage scheme [UMR] in Riau, while the UMR in the service, trade, construction, hospitality and other sectors was still below what would be considered appropriate," said Patar.
"Of the 80,000 workers in Riau, only 20 percent of them receive suitable wages. If the issue remains unchecked, SBSI will in time take radical efforts against the government," he added.
In Bengkalis regency, the biggest oil and gas producer in Riau, workers commemorated Labor Day with social activities.
"We also took part in the reforestation program by planting thousands of mangrove tree seedlings along the coast in Papal village on Bengkalis Island," said Indonesian Transportation Workers Federation (FSPTI-SPSI) Bengkalis chapter head Masuri.
In Dumai, the biggest port city in Riau, thousands of workers were engrossed in a community celebration filled with games and contests.
Hundreds of workers from various companies in Central Java organized sporting events and arts performances, while hundreds of other workers rallied at the Simpang Lima intersection in Semarang as they criticized Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo's minimum wage policy, which they said had only sided with the businesspeople, as the UMR remained low.
In Medan, North Sumatra, workers from various organizations delivered speeches, many of which deplored low wages. They demanded a 30 percent increase in the 2015 UMR.
"Workers reject the politicization of low wages. We demand the UMR be raised 30 percent," Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (FSPMI) North Sumatra head Willy Agus Utomo said.
FSPMI head in Batam, Riau Islands, Suprapto, also voiced similar demands. "We demand the 2015 UMR be raised 30 percent, or be set at Rp 3 million [US$259] per month," Suprapto said.
According to him, a 30 percent UMR increase was reasonable, as it was equivalent to the current basic cost of living (KHL) of Rp 2.4 million per month in Batam.
In Gorontalo and Bandung, West Java, workers and temporary teachers demanded the abolishment of outsourcing. "We don't want our children to become laborers who earn low wages. The government must ensure that our children are educated," rally coordinator Mieske Abdullah said in Gorontalo.
In Palu, Central Sulawesi, dozens of journalists affiliated with the Palu chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) on Thursday questioned their status as correspondents, contributors and stringers in Palu.
In Yogyakarta, the Yogyakarta Labor Association (ABY) focused on pension funds. ABY secretary-general Kirnadi said various social security programs for workers were prone to irregularities.
Apriadi Gunawan, Fadli, Syamsul Huda M.Suhari, Arya Dipa, Ruslan Sangadji, Slamet Susanto contributed to the story from Medan, Batam, Gorontalo, bandung, palu and yogyakarta
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