Datuk Haris Molana, Lhokseumawe – Protesters from the Malikussaleh University Law Students Alliance held a commemoration of May Day in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh. The demonstrators called on the government to revoke Government Regulation Number 78/2015 on Wages and to prioritise local workers at state-owned companies in Aceh.
The action was held in front of the Islamic Centre Mosque. Before giving speeches, the demonstrators held a long-march around the main streets of Lhokseumawe City.
After arriving at the gathering point, they immediately began giving speeches and also took time out to hold a theatrical action depicting labourers being forced to work by their employer.
“We ask that the government revoke PP 78/2015 on Wages. Reject outsourcing systems that bring suffering to workers”, said action coordinator Muhammad Fadli in a speech on Wednesday May 1.
Fadli also called on companies in Lhokseumawe to prioritise local workers adding that they hope that the government will stop facilitating foreign workers entering Indonesia.
Fadli said he wants Presidential Regulation Number 20/2018, which facilitates foreign workers in Indonesia to be revoked and for the government to block foreign investors which provide no benefit to the ordinary people, particularly the Acehnese.
“We also ask that the Aceh labour office provide a solution to the many unemployed in Aceh”, said Fadli.
The protesters also called on the governor of Aceh to take legal action against companies that do not fulfill workers’ rights and said that the government needs to sign an integrity pact with students. (dnu/dnu)
[Translated by James Balowski. Edited slightly for readability. The original title of the article was “May Day di Aceh, Mahasiswa Minta Perusahaan Prioritaskan Buruh Lokal”.]
