Workers Ask The Government To Audit Companies That Layoff Employees

JAKARTA - Labor Day or May Day which falls on May 1 is usually celebrated by taking to the streets. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and being blocked by police permission, workers could not take action.

Even so, that doesn't mean they don't have demands. The workers have prepared several demands which they continue to fight for.

President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) Said Iqbal said that at least three demands would be voiced. First, continue to reject the omnibus law and ask President Joko Widodo to create a new workforce cluster.

However, he said, the creation of an employment cluster arrangement must involve several parties. This includes the workers. So that in making rules it is not burdensome to either party.

"Involving all stakeholders, namely by forming a team to formulate a new draft of the workforce cluster consisting of trade unions, employers' organizations and the government in the form of a Presidential Decree," Said told VOI in his statement, Friday, May 1.

The second step, continued Said, demands that the government issue policies or steps that can stop the dismissal of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trick, he said, is by auditing companies that plan to fire employees or laborers. By doing this, it is considered to be able to find out whether the company is really experiencing a loss or is threatened with bankruptcy.

Finally, ask and urge the companies to dismiss workers and still provide wages. Because, with the current conditions, workers are vulnerable to contracting COVID-19.

"This is done to ensure that workers are not exposed to the Corona virus and to maintain the purchasing power of workers and the community," said Said.

The three demands will be voiced or campaigned through social media. So that by using this method, you can avoid the spread of COVID-19.

"The virtual campaign includes an online struggle newspaper, we have Instagram, we have Facebook, WhatsApp group and Facebook. So, we use all social media," Said said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Yusri Yunus, said that the celebration of Labor Day this year was replaced with social service actions and the installation of banners for their respective workplaces.

"For example, there are banners in their respective offices, but they still do it without heeding the health protocol according to the health protocol rules, taking care of the existing physical distancing," said Yusri.

The social service activities of the workers are carried out at several points in the capital city. They will later distribute masks and so on while still prioritizing existing health protocols.

For that, said Yusri, his party is ready to provide escort for these social service activities. However, the labor union has not provided further information regarding the pattern of social service activities held on this May Day.

"We are ready to escort at any time, we are ready to escort for these activities. But they stated that they are preparing a plan whether it is possible to be at PSBB posts together with friends of the police, the existing dishub, this is what we are still waiting for, "said Yusri.