Workers Threaten National Work Strike, Ministry Of Manpower: Big Implications

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) has responded to the planned national strike that is being held up by labor groups from the KSPI and KSPSI AGN if the company does not raise the 2021 minimum wage and the cancellation of the Job Creation Law.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Anwar Sanusi, said that the call for a strike made by the President of KSPI Said Iqbal was the right of the trade union leadership.

"Regarding Said Iqbal's appeal, I think it is his right," said Anwar when confirmed by VOI, Tuesday, November 3.

Even so, the ministry, which is led by Ida Fauziyah, hopes that this threat will not occur. Because, he said, there is a big impact in the form of potential conflict between workers and employers if a strike is carried out.

"We hope of course not to go on a strike, because the implication is quite large," he said.

Anwar explained that it is the governor's authority to determine the minimum wage. Then regarding the Job Creation Law, Anwar views that there are efforts that are more appropriate for workers to make their demands, namely a judicial review suit to the Constitutional Court.

"There is also a constitutional route, through a judicial review. Moreover, in the process of drafting the Job Creation Bill and also issuing a Wage SE, we have gone through a process that could involve elements of workers and employers," he explained.

Yesterday, KSPI President Said Iqbal called for a national labor strike plan if the Omnibus Law on the Job Creation Law was not canceled and the 2021 minimum wage did not increase.

"If the government does not cancel the Omnibus Law and does not raise the minimum wage, I would like to call for a national strike by workers to be carried out throughout Indonesia," said Iqbal during an action at the Horse Statue area, Monday, November 2.

Said Iqbal estimates that a national strike will be carried out in 10 thousand companies spread across Indonesia. The effect of the strike is a halt to production in factories.

"You can imagine if 10 thousand companies, an average of two hundred people, then there are 2 million workers who go on a national strike against the Job Creation Law. That will cripple production in factories and companies," he concluded.