Jakarta Deputy Governor Asks Workers To Prioritize Dialogue During A Pandemic

Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria/ANTARA

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria asked workers to prioritize dialogue in voicing the proposal for an increase in the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) rather than holding demonstrations in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

"We sit together. We can hold demonstrations, we respect democracy, but we should have a dialogue, negotiate at one table to find the best solution, considering that it is now because of the COVID-19 pandemic," Riza said at the Jakarta City Hall as quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 4th.

He said the DKI Provincial Government as a policy maker must also hear opinions from various parties.

The opinion of the workers, said Riza, will be listened to as well as the opinion of the businessmen, so a joint dialogue is needed.

Riza asked all parties, including workers and businessmen, to wait for the best decision from the DKI Provincial Government.

"We will find the best solution for the interests of the workers. In principle, everything must be good, everyone must be happy," said Riza.

Riza added that the provincial government cannot make a decision that only pleases one party because the current COVID-19 pandemic is an important consideration in determining the future UMP increase.

"Right now, it's because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we really can't make decisions unilaterally," he said.

The trade unions from the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) are rumored to be holding simultaneous demonstrations in 26 provinces on Wednesday, November 10 to ask for an increase in the 2022 UMP by 7-10 percent.

KSPI President Said Iqbal said the action would be centered in front of the governor's, regent's or mayor's offices in each region. In Jakarta, the action will be held in front of the City Hall and will be attended by 500-1,000 workers.