Workers promise peaceful rally

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/01/2006 11:04 AM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Workers remained adamant Sunday about their planned massive march in the capital Monday to mark International Workers Day, despite warnings of possible sanctions from employers if their actions disrupt production.

About 1,000 workers staged a peaceful ""preliminary rally"" on Sunday, distributing red roses to passersby as they marched from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to the State Palace.

The May Day march, which organizers pledge will be peaceful, is intended to show their opposition to the government's plan to amend the 2003 Labor Law, changes they contend are pro-business and detract from their rights and welfare.

Revisions include greater leeway for contract-based employment as well as easier layoff procedures and lower severance pay, in the name of creating a more flexible labor market. The government and business argue the changes are essential to improve the country's investment climate and reduce unemployment.

Labor unions plan to meet at 9 a.m. at the Semanggi cloverleaf intersection in Central Jakarta, before making their way through the capital's main thoroughfares of Jl. Jend. Sudirman, the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and Jl. M.H. Thamrin to the National Monument in front of the State Palace.

Another group will gather at the House of Representatives to protest the deliberation of the amendments.

A massive, unruly rally by workers on April 5, following from two weeks of work stoppages and protests, forced the government to reconsider the draft bill. It sought opinions of experts and academicians from five universities for further review of its contents, before a tripartite discussion with labor unions and employers.

At least 100,000 workers are expected to join Monday's rally. Millions of others also plan protests in other cities throughout Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

Labor unions said that they would hold peaceful demonstrations, working in close coordination with the police to help maintain security and order during the rallies.

""This year's May Day presents good momentum and a beginning for workers to win public sympathy and support for the struggle for our interests. It also is the initial start to show the public we have a culture of democracy and workers are not identical to anarchism, "" said Rekson Silaban, chairman of the Confederation of Indonesian Prosperous Trade Unions.

He added that 3,000 of the union's members would participate in the rally in Jakarta, with the demand that the government improve the country's social security program and guarantee the right to form unions.

Indonesian Workers National Defenders Front coordinator Dominggus Oktavianus said at least 31,000 of its members would participate.

""We even expect 40,000 to come join us in our sit-down protest,"" he was quoted as saying by Antara newswire.

Indonesian Employers Association secretary-general Djimanto said employers would only tolerate up to 2 percent of their total workers participating in the rally to prevent any disruption in company production.

""May 1st is not a national holiday, so business must run as usual,"" he said. ""Those wishing to join the rally are welcome to do so, as long as it doesn't affect production.""

Djimanto said employers also were prepared to take action against workers violating company regulations.

""Those absent without notice will receive a warning note. We will also pursue legal action if the rally causes losses of production, work hours and clients.

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