Dara, Banda Aceh – International Labour Day, which is known as May Day, was also commemorated in Aceh on May 1. Hundreds of representatives of labour organisations in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh held a peaceful rally on the grounds of the Acehnese Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and at the Simpang Lima roundabout.
In concert with the times, the growing strength of global capitalism has resulted in workers becoming even more oppressed, both in Indonesia as well as in other parts of the world. In this context, labourers, workers and even public servants and employees are the ones that are most often sacrificed for the interests of employers.
In speeches before the assemble protesters and pedestrians, labour activists said that the action was held to seek welfare improvements, particularly the welfare of contract and healthcare workers. “We want all contract teachers and healthcare workers such as nurses to be promoted to full-time civil servants”, said one of the activists in a speech.
Meanwhile in a leaflet containing a statement that was handed out to journalists, the demonstrators demanded a 100 percent increase to the regional minimum wage from 850,000 rupiah per month to 1.7 million rupiah. They also demanded the abolition of ‘invisible’ fees, the provision of quality employment opportunities the entire work force and rejected the existence of contract labour systems. “There is no such term as laborer and contract teacher. We reject the law on contract teachers”, said an activist from the United Teachers Coalition Front (Kobar GB).
They also called on the government to provide free and quality education and healthcare for the people, boost investment in order to wipe out unemployment and increase Indonesia’s economic competitiveness. “[But] if the investment that is developed does not provide welfare to the Acehnese people, then there is no need for investment”, said Rahmat from the Poor People’s Democratic Association (PDRM).
The mass action, which was also joined by non-government organisation (NGO) activists, then moved off from the DPRD to the Simpang Lima roundabout, a central traffic thoroughfare in Banda Aceh. Aside from wage increases, the protesters also demanded that rights be provided to women workers such as menstrual leave, maternity leave and pickup and delivery transport services for women working at night. The demonstrators also opposed death sentences for migrant workers.
The first May Day action to be held in Banda Aceh was also joined by 25 NGO institutions and work units from various agencies. The action was tightly guarded by police who directed traffic in order to prevent a traffic jam or accidents occurring.
Also involved in the action were members of the Banda Aceh Independent Journalist Association (AJI) who brought posters reading “Fight for decent wages for journalists” and “Journalists are also workers, that is a fact!”. [dzie]
