KSPI Threat If UMP 2022 Only Increases 1.09 Percent: 2 Million Workers Ready To Strike National Production

Said Iqbal, President of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI). (Photo: KSPI screenshot)

JAKARTA - The government has set the average wage increase for 2022 at 1.09 percent. This figure is far from the demands of trade unions or laborers who want an increase of 7-10 percent. As a result of this disappointment, as many as 2 million workers will go on a national strike.

The President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) Said Iqbal said that the national strike will be carried out for three consecutive days from December 6 to 8, 2021. Later, workers will start a national strike at 08.00 to 18.00 local time.

"The form of a national strike is to use Law 9/1998. We don't use a strike, we go on a national strike. It's not a strike. Because it uses Law 9/1998, the location for this national strike or national demonstration is at the factory where production stops and leaves the factory. ," he said in a virtual press conference, Friday, November 19.

According to Iqbal, the national strike will be followed by 60 national-level federations and 5 national-level trade union confederations. So that a total of 2 million workers will be involved in the national strike on December 6-8, 2021.

"This action is widespread in 33 provinces. More than 150 regencies/cities involving hundreds of thousands of factories, with an estimated number of members who will join the national strike action is 2 million people," he said.

Iqbal said that in this national strike, there are two demands that workers will submit to the government. First, increasing the provincial minimum wage (UMP) and district/city minimum wage by 7 to 10 percent.

Then, the second demand is to ask the Constitutional Court (MK) to revoke Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation. In particular, the Employment cluster.

"This national strike will also be supported by farmers who join the Indonesian farmers' union, Indonesian fishermen's union, and temporary teachers who join. So there will be more people who will follow this strike," he explained.

Before arriving at the national strike, said Iqbal, the trade unions will hold an initial demonstration on November 28-30 located at the State Palace, the Indonesian Parliament Building and the Office of the Ministry of Manpower.

"We'll see if the government's reaction will be decided on 20 or 21 (November), usually it's a bit delayed. Meanwhile, the national strike after the demonstration is held. Why the 28-30 demonstration? There will be a regional action from 17 (November). If it is heard, we will continue with demonstrations. If that is not heard, we will stop production from December 6-8," he said.