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Jokowi gains support from labor unions
After the meeting, All-Indonesia Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI) president Andi Gani Nena Wea and Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) chairman Said Iqbal expressed their support for the Jokowi administration.
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University students in Yogyakarta stage a rally on Sept. 23 to voice their opposition to the speedy deliberation of controversial bills at the House of Representatives. (JP/Tarko Sudiarno)
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mid protests by various groups signaling widespread distrust of the government, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo may have gained support from an unlikely source: labor unions.
Jokowi met with leaders of the nation’s two-largest labor unions at Bogor Palace on Monday, apparently to discuss the planned revision of the 2003 Manpower Law.
After the meeting, All-Indonesia Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI) president Andi Gani Nena Wea and Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) chairman Said Iqbal expressed their support for the Jokowi administration.
While the KSPSI has supported Jokowi since the 2014 presidential election, Said's endorsement came as something of a surprise given that the KSPI had been a vocal supporter of Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto's presidential bid.
"Workers are part of the people, and we have an interest in communicating several ideas to the President and to ensure that the government carries them out in a constitutional and peaceful manner," Said explained after the meeting on Sept. 30.
A number of other labor groups have criticized the meeting and accused the leaders of working toward their own interests.
Congress of Indonesia Unions Alliance (KASBI) chairwoman Nining Elitos said the meeting was "inappropriate", especially given that, at the same time, KASBI and other labor groups had protested a number of issues, including a revision to the Manpower Law.
