By: Dodik Prasetyo )*
Demonstration is a right of citizens guaranteed by the constitution. However, demonstrations during the pandemic are regrettable because they have the potential to create a covid-19 cluster.
Labor demonstrations in various regions after the ratification of the omnibus law on the Job Creation Law. In response to this, the Covid-19 Handling Task Force guaranteed that they would not use the quarantine law to disperse the protesters.
This demonstration was attended by various workers from a number of industrial sectors ranging from energy, chemicals, mining, textiles, garments, shoes, electronics to automotive. The distribution of workers who carried out the action included in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Serang and Cilegon.
In Bandung, students actually staged a demonstration to urge the government to revoke the Work Creation Law that had been passed. This action was centered in front of the West Java Provincial DPRD Building. Masa also staged theatrical action to burn tires.
The same action was also carried out by thousands of workers in front of the Bandung City Hall. Jalan Wastukencana. Chairman of the Central Executive of the Federation of Textile, Clothing and Leather Workers Union (FSP TSK) SPSI Roy Jinto also asked the government to cancel the ratification of the Job Creation Law.
Labor action was also carried out to the point of carrying out a blockade, as seen on the main Garut-Bandung route. They held a demonstration in front of a factory on Jalan Raya Garut-Bandung, Leles District. Thousands of laborers took to the streets. They went on strike and held demonstrations together.
Wiku Adisasmito, a spokesperson for the coronavirus handling task force, gave directions for the protesters to maintain and follow health protocols. This is intended so as not to create new clusters.
The mass action in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic which was feared could become a new cluster was proven. A crowd that is made by a group of people because of the demonstration can increase the number of new cases.
In Tangerang, 13 reactive workers were found after undergoing the Covid-19 rapid test. The test is carried out when workers take a demonstration. In addition, in Jakarta, 12 reactive covid-19 rapid test people were also found in DKI Jakarta. They were found from 200 people suspected of being an anarchist group who were about to take action at the DPR, Central Jakarta, last Wednesday. Of the 200 people who were arrested, 90 people had a rapid test and 12 of them showed reactive results.
The demonstrations that took place seemed to contrast with the pandemic conditions that were not only happening in Indonesia but also around the world. In current conditions, maintaining distance is certainly the thing to do.
It is feared that there will be many parties who will become a space for the transmission of the corona virus (Covid-19). The emergence of a demonstration cluster will be a major risk, in the expression of opinions without adhering to health protocols.
Wiku said, many industrial clusters have emerged and this will certainly have the potential to disrupt the performance of factories and other industries, a similar potential will emerge in clustering activities.
Instead of demanding rights, demonstration clusters have the potential to catch workers with Covid-19, which can have fatal consequences.
Wiku also warned that keeping a minimum distance of 1 meter would reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission by up to 85%. Meanwhile, wearing a surgical mask will reduce the risk of transmission by as much as 70%.
He added that every effort currently made in fighting against Covid-19 will pay off. As long as we are really consistent in making behavioral changes, namely by implementing health protocols and everything is done seriously.
Meanwhile, the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI) is concerned that demonstrations related to the Job Creation law in various regions in Indonesia will create new Covid-19 clusters.
Reflecting on the case of the death of a United States citizen George Floyd, a black man who was killed by the police, resulted in citizens in that country holding massive demonstrations in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
If the demonstration cluster increases, of course this can make hospitals full again and the risk of transmission to the community is certainly high. Of course in a pandemic situation such as controlling covid-19, it must be a priority.
If this action is allowed to run without a health protocol, of course this could disrupt the handling of Covid-19 in Indonesia.
)* The author is a contributor to the Cikini Press Circle and Students