Workers and labor activists spent their Sunday celebrating International Labor Day, also known as May Day, staging rallies in major cities nationwide, demanding the government provide fair wages.

They also called on the government to mitigate the severe impacts of dismissal, resulting from a sluggish economy and falling commodity prices.

The workers demanded the government revoke a regulation on wages that eliminated the tripartite system in minimum wage calculations, deeming the policy unfair as it allowed the government to set minimum wages without involving workers.

In addition, the rally participants said economic conditions and inflation should not be the only considerations when setting wages. They also urged the government to stop criminalizing workers who voiced their concerns.

Despite brawls taking place between groups in various areas, May Day rallies were mostly peaceful.

In Jakarta, tens of thousands of workers from different labor unions took part in a high-spirited rally. Unfurling big flags and banners, the workers assembled near the National Monument in Central Jakarta, before heading to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, South Jakarta.

Some of them banged large drums to ignite and fuel the spirit.

Rally participant Warseno, 42, a contract teacher in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, said he used the rally to voice his concerns regarding his employment status. Having served as a contract teacher for 15 years, he demanded that the Jakarta administration acknowledge his contributions and grant him the permanent status of civil servant.

In Medan, North Sumatra, hundreds of protesters grouped under the Front of People’s Struggle (FPR) marched from the Gatot Subroto traffic circle to the North Sumatra Legislative Council (DPRD).

In Denpasar, Bali, dozen of workers and social activists from across Bali staged a rally, demanding the implementation of policies to improve their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, in Bandung, West Java, 49-year-old Neneng Jamilah spent her Sunday distributing water to rally participants in front of Gedung Sate, an activity she has carried out for four years every May Day. (fac)

Suherdjoko, Rizal Harahap, Apriadi Gunawan and Arya Dipa contributed to this story.

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