Yasmine Aulia, Semarang – Thousands of workers packed Jl. Pahlawan Semarang in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang on Tuesday May 1 where they had gathered to protest in front of the governor’s office.
By 9.30am, a line consisting of thousands of workers wearing red uniforms could be seen filling the streets. A speaker guided the protesters from on top of a truck complete with a banner and sound system.
“Today is International Labour Day, we will always voice our conscience, we will fight together, come on, close ranks”, called the speaker.
The thousands of worker representatives came from of various trade unions across Central Java. As spirited shouts reverberated across the street, the workers’ ranks continued to swell as other groups began to arrive and join the rally.
Student representatives, who also joined the rally, were warmly greeted by the workers.
“Working conditions at the moment are not yet prosperous, the people’s representatives do not side with us, today we are closing ranks to commemorate May Day in order to continue to fight for workers’ welfare”, shouted a speaker.
The action meanwhile continued through the afternoon with workers only starting to leave the area at around 3pm.
The calls articulated by the demonstrators at the action included demands related to Government Regulation Number 78 on Wages, Presidential Regulation Number 20/2018 on Foreign Workers, the use of outsourcing and other policies which fail to said with workers.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Begini Aksi Ribuan Pekerja Peringati Hari Buruh Internasional.]
