By: Zakaria
Labor Day this year is different because there are no demonstrations. The people are happy because they obey the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) rules, one of which is to avoid the crowd. Workers are also happy because the government always defends their fate.
May 1 yesterday was celebrated as World Labor Day and usually there was always a demonstration to commemorate it. But it is different from Mayday’s commemoration this year. There were no demonstrations and mass gatherings because workers obeyed the rules for PSBB and social distancing.
Chairman of the KSPI (Confederation of Indonesian trade unions) Said Iqbal stated that indeed he and his friends did not do the demonstration because they understood the time of concern during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Demonstrations carried out by hundreds to thousands of people are certainly very risky because it can transmit the potential for Corona virus. If there is even one worker who carries the virus, all can be infected and even pass the disease on to all members of his family at home.
Instead, the demonstration was turned into a social service and fundraising event.
KSPI did this because they saw that there were still fellow workers who were forced to be laid off because the factory where they worked had lost and closed. With the existence of social service, it is hoped that they can help them a little to bring out kitchen smoke again.
The community welcomed when there were no demonstrations on Labor Day.
Although they understand that the workers are demonstrating because they convey their conscience to the Government, indirectly the activity is causing traffic jams everywhere. When there is no demo, the trip automatically runs smoothly.
In addition, social action carried out by trade unions was also praised by the community. They still have a sense of caring for fellow workers, and want to contribute from his personal salary. This social action can certainly be a role model, and other people will also be inspired to give to one another.
Workers who took part in social action were also happy even though there were no demonstrations. This time they no longer asked for the right to raise salaries and the right to leave, as well as other demands.
Because the government without a demonstration has increased the UMK (city drinking wage) every year and the nominal is always sufficient. For the city of Malang alone, the UMK is already 2,800,000 rupiah. If there are companies that still pay under the UMK, they will be immediately dealt with by the Manpower Office.
Regulations that harm workers, such as outsourcing, prohibiting marriage within a certain period of time, and prohibition on leave, are also observed by the government. So the Manpower Office in cities in Indonesia, representing the government, will admonish companies that still enforce regulations that are considered harmful by employees. The workers can breathe with relief.
Workers who were laid off due to Corona Pandemic also still have hope. The government has launched a pre-employment card to address the number of new unemployment because many factories are closed, as a domino effect of the spread of Covid-19.
This card is prioritized for workers who have lost their jobs. So they get intensive money as much as 2.4 million rupiah, which is transferred in stages over 4 months.
Besides money, the government’s attention to unemployed workers holding pre-employment cards is a skill provision. This of course is more important than just the allowance. With online training organized by several partner companies, pre-work card holders can get new skills. That is important as venture capital, so they can become businessmen and are not dependent on job openings in factories.
The absence of workers’ demonstrations was replaced by social service as a form of empathy for fellow workers who had to be laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The community was happy because the workers turned out to love peace and care for others. Workers are also happy because UMK is always raised and there is a pre-work card for the unemployed.
Active writer in the Cikini Press Circle and Students
