Labor Day, Puan Maharani: My Commitment To Regulation In Favor Of Labor Has Never Faded

Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. BETWEEN PHOTOS

JAKARTA - Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, reaffirmed her commitment to creating and overseeing regulations that favor workers.

"Since becoming a member of the DPR in 2009 and until now serving as Chair of the DPR, my commitment to guarding the regulatory side of workers has never faded," said Puan in response to the commemoration of Labor Day in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Sunday, May 1.

Puan together with the PDIP faction once fought for the Draft Law on the Social Security Administering Body (BPJS) for Health and Employment. After adrift for seven years, the BPJS bill was finally ratified at the DPR Plenary Session, October 28, 2011.

The benefits of the law are still being felt by the wider community. With BPJS health, the community, especially workers, can get free treatment.

"Meanwhile with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, workers can get various benefits, ranging from work safety guarantees to old age insurance," said Puan.

After serving as Chair of the DPR, Puan also continues to strive to make regulations that are beneficial for workers. One of them is Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation. The law was a breakthrough because it was drafted with an omnibus law system that revised many laws at once.

Although the regulation was controversial, Puan emphasized that the Job Creation Law was created for the welfare of the workers.

"The Job Creation Law was created to encourage transformation so that more people can work and become prosperous," he said.

Later, the Constitutional Court did declare the Job Creation Law to be conditionally unconstitutional and must be revised within two years.

Puan also ensured that the DPR respected the Constitutional Court's decision and would include the Job Creation Law in the list of national legislation programs (Prolegnas) in 2022.

"During the revision process, we will make sure that we will re-involve the labor groups so that the job creation bill really sided with the workers," he said.

On this Labor Day, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also wished all workers a happy Labor Day in Indonesia.