May Day..May Day!! A Call for Unity
Thea May 1st, 2007
Today, a thousand of labors gather to do massive rallies to mark the International Labor day. In several big cities, such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung, the rallies occur in several spots.
This year, the rallies protest the contract system, an amendment to a 2003 labor law and a severance pay scheme that does not compensate workers enough.
In Indonesia, the condition of labor is saddening. In addition to the small payment they receive, the work condition itself to some extent is bad. Moreover, the labor law mostly defends the big entrepreneurs’ interests. It’s very saddening to know that many labors only can earn money for their own lives. They hardly afford their families’ needs.
This morning, I was invited to join the rallies representing the workers alliance of my company. Too bad, due to my tight schedules, I couldn’t join them. But surely, I will always support all efforts for a better condition of labor in Indonesia. Regardless our background, our professional occupation, our salary or our company, I am convinced we should be united to support the interests our friends urge in this May Day Celebration. Thus, a win-win solution for labors and entrepreneurs will emerge.
One more issue. As Indonesia is a country who hasn’t recognized 1 May as national holiday, most workers alliances urge government to recognize it as national holiday. Meanwhile, many countries in the rest of the world have done.
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