By: Dandy Rahmat )*
On 6-8 October 2020, workers will go on a mass strike. The reason is because they reject the Job Creation Bill. But unfortunately the plan for a mass strike as well as a demonstration did not get sympathy. Because it was done during a pandemic and violated health protocols.
The plan to strike the workers was carried out this October, because to oppose the omnibus law of the Work Creation Bill which is scheduled to be inaugurated on the 8th. Actually this plan is very strange, because 2 months ago, dozens of trade unions had met with the DPR Baleg and stated that they agreed with the contents of the omnibus law. They even support it.
However, it turned out that there were plans to strike on a large scale, even throughout Indonesia. The strike was certainly a headache because it was held for 3 days. Imagine how much loss the company will bear? The workers should think, if the company loses then they will also lose because their wages might be cut to cover it.
There is also a domino effect when a strike is carried out. For example, if the employees of the electricity company do not want to work at all, Indonesia could be completely dark. The desire to strike can indeed be satisfied, but the workers’ families at home can cry because they do not get electricity. If you have this, who is the real loser?
In Article 137 of Law No.13 / 2003, it is stated that workers may go on strike. But that does not mean they can go on strike arbitrarily. Even though it is on strike, it must be carried out in a peaceful, orderly and legitimate manner. So they cannot go on strike and then demonstrate while carrying out acts of anarchy because they are carried away by emotions.
Apindo chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani stated that strikes against the omnibus law could also be called illegal. This is because the condition for allowing a strike is a disagreement between the worker and the entrepreneur, because he does not want to negotiate. This is stated in Kepmenakertrans number 23 of 2003 articles 3 and 4.
In this case, it is a bit confusing because the union initially agreed to the omnibus law, but recently opposed it. If there is a mass strike instigated by them, then don’t blame it if it is finally disbanded. Because it violates the rules mentioned above.
In addition, the main reason for breaking up the mass strike that led to demonstrations is that we are still in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic. Do not indulge in emotions and become engrossed in demonstrating, then violating the rules of maintaining distance. If there is an activity that violates the health protocol, the authorities will immediately be reprimanded.
In fact, there are parties who disagree when a mass strike is held. Because they don’t want to skip work just because they are invited to a demo. Truancy certainly reduces the value of a worker. If the company is not pleased, he can get a suspension, because it is considered to have violated the rules.
In addition, workers who are paid daily also suffer losses. Because during 3 days of mass strike, he did not get paid. In fact, during this pandemic, we should be more diligent in working to guard against an uncertain future. But instead he arbitrarily broke down because he got emotional.
Their reasons for rejecting the omnibus law on the Job Creation Bill were also questioned. Because since several months ago, this bill has been socialized by the government. The employment cluster was also revised, benefiting workers. The Minister of Manpower has also explained the articles, so which side do you want to protest against?
Don’t just refuse and join the mass strike even though you haven’t read the omnibus law draft of the Job Creation Bill carefully. Moreover, shouting and thinking that this bill is colonizing workers because of a misinterpretation. The working hours are set to a maximum of 40 hours a week, for 6 working days. Don’t believe in hoaxes that say work hours can be lengthened by shortening work days.
)* The author is active in the Jakarta Student Movement (Gema)