Jakarta – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo held a meeting with trade unions leaders in the Garuda Room at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java on Friday April 26. Widodo was accompanied by Labour Minister Hanif Dhakiri and Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko.
The trade union leaders who attended the meeting included Confederation of the All-Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI) President Andi Gani Nuwa Wea, Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) President Said Iqbal and Confederation of Prosperity Labour Unions (KSBSI) President Mudhofir.
Also present were Confederation of United Indonesian Workers (KPBI) General Chairperson Ilhamsyah, Indonesian Muslim Workers Trade Union (SBMI) General Chairperson Syaiful, Nusantara Trade Union (KSN) President Muchtar Guntur and the chairperson of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives’ (DPRD) Commission A, Wiliam Yani.
The atmosphere during the half-hour meeting, which was held prior to Friday prayers, was friendly and intimate.
Widodo said that the meeting discussed the commemoration of May Day on May 1 saying that all of the trade union leaders agreed that the commemoration of May Day this year would be peaceful.
“Everyone agreed that the commemoration of Labour Day would involve nice activities which will provide a sense of calm and peace.
According to Widodo, it is hoped that the peaceful commemorations will allow the public to join in experiencing the happiness of Labour Day which will take place next week.
“So we hope that the ordinary people will also join in experiencing the happiness of celebrating Labour Day next week”, he said.
Aside from the Labour Day commemorations, Widodo said that they also discussed plans to revise Government Regulation (PP) Number 78/2015 on Wages. Widodo said he wants the revisions to accommodate the wishes of workers as well as employers.
“Lest there be parties who are harmed because of the PP 78. Yeah, they were the two issues that we discussed”, said Widodo.
KSPSI President Andi Gani Nuwa Wea meanwhile urged the government to form a labour desk within the national police to protect workers’ rights. The labour desk could become a vehicle to seek justice for workers.
The meeting also implied political support for Widodo from Said Iqbal. Iqbal is one of the supporters of the rival 02 presidential ticket of Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno. Iqbal is known for being critical of the Widodo administration. (fra/ugo)
Notes
Government Regulation Number 78/2015 on setting the minimum wage ties annual wage rises to inflation and productivity rather than the reasonable cost of living index which was used in the 2003 Labour Law. As well as putting pressure on wages, the regulation effectively abolishes the function of wage councils, which are made up of representatives from the government, employers and trade unions in negotiating wage rises, and allows the government to set wage rises unilaterally. Since its enactment in 2015, annual wage increases – which many workers depend upon as a buffer against inflection – have dropped sharply and led to a progressive decline in real wages.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Diundang Jokowi, Said Iqbal Cs Sepakat Hari Buruh Damai”.]
