Threatened Women's Desires In The Job Creation Bill

Photo illustration of a female worker (Ibrahim Bernal / Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The National Secretary for Mahardhika Women, Mutiara Ika Pratiwi, firmly rejects the presence of the Omnibus Law Bill on Job Creation (Cilaka). The bill that is being drafted by the government is considered to be threatening and detrimental to women in the Indonesian workforce.

Ika said that the omnibus law is a consolidation of the political oligarchy and the last way for the state to save the oligarchic political elite.

"That there is not a single article (contained) of the word 'woman' in the draft bill that is circulating. Even though the latest news on the bill has already entered the National Legislation Program," said Ika at the LBH Jakarta Building, Sunday, January 19.

One of the highlights is the right to maternity leave. Ika explained, the omnibus law does not specifically explain the special facilities that are obtained for female workers who are giving birth.

"In Law 13 of 2003, women's rights are stated as normative, (workers) give birth to 1.5 months of leave before and after giving birth, in the omnibus law there is no such guarantee. Such guarantees are eliminated," he explained.

According to Ika, the Job Creation Bill which was formed by the government only provided employment opportunities, but did not pay attention to the quality of workers. Omnibus law will consider the workers not to be human, but only so they don't die today.

"Provision of employment, but not to improve quality. Workers are only able to live today and tomorrow," he said.

Ika explained that women's rights also contradicted the investment logic that the government had been pushing. These women's rights only interfere with investment flexibility for the government.

"This is where we see that women's rights greatly interfere with flexibility, women's rights are special rights. For example, the most frequently demanded rights are pregnancy rights, rights to special facilities during pregnancy, rights to maternity leave, menstrual leave," he explained.

Ika said, pregnant women workers really need special treatment because their bodies have changed shape. "Now this is very contrary to the logic of investment. Reproductive work is not considered to be work that supports capital production, that is the logic in a patriarchal production work system," he said.

"We have reached the stage where the state is ignorant of democracy. The government is looking forward to cheap and flexible labor. This is the last step for the state to ensure that the country's character is not pro-people," he explained.

Previously, President Jokowi said the draft bill, which was the omnibus law, would be submitted to the Indonesian Parliament next week. Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H Laoly said there were two drafts of the omnibus law that would be submitted to the DPR.

"Creating job opportunities and tax facilities," said Yasonna at the DPR Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, January 16.