Wrath Over The Omnibus Law Bill On International Women's Day

Action to celebrate International Women's Day in Jakarta (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - A mass of women gathered in front of the Bawaslu RI Building, Jalan MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, towards the end of the Car Free Day (CFD) activity, today.

They staged a demonstration to commemorate International Women's Day, which falls on March 8. Their action is in the name of Gerak Perempuan. However, what they do is not just ceremonial activities. They staged a protest against the Omnibus Law on the Work Creation Bill and the Family Resilience Bill.

At the initial gathering point in front of the Bawaslu Building, the crowd, mostly young, were holding colorful posters. The writings vary, but they have one attitude demanding gender equality and protecting women's rights.

After a while, the masses of women workers in Jakarta and its surroundings followed in several buses carrying command cars. Joining the Gerak Perempuan mass ranks. The clamor of Gerak Perempuan's applause became even more roaring as the large masses of workers joined in.

Action to celebrate International Women's Day in Jakarta (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

Under the heat of the day, the line started moving north on Jalan MH Thamrin with the final destination of Taman Pandang, Monas Barat Laut Cross. The police apparatus secured the ranks and regulated the traffic flow so that this action would run smoothly.

In an oration amidst the marching movement, the action coordinator and activist Lini Zurlia said the Omnibus Law on the Family Resilience Bill that the government and DPR are drafting is considered an attempt to systematically violence against women.

"The action that coincides with International Women's Day is the struggle of women's groups for their rights which have not been fulfilled for a long time. Plus there is systematic violence against women, this regulation is detrimental to women from indoors to freedom in public spaces," Lini's speech at the location, Sunday, 8 March.

There are a number of articles that are considered detrimental to women in the Family Resilience Bill. Some of them are regulations regarding sexual deviance, the obligation of the wife to take care of the household, and the issue of sperm.

In the elucidation chapter of the Family Resilience Bill, a number of articles discuss sexual deviance, which in the explanation are linked to Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual (LGBT), such as Articles 86 and 87.

Article 86 states: "Families experiencing a family crisis due to sexual deviations are obliged to report their family members to the agency that deals with family resilience or to a rehabilitation institution appointed by the government for treatment and / or treatment."

Meanwhile, article 87 reads: "Every adult who experiences sexual deviation is obliged to report himself to the body that handles family resilience or a rehabilitation institution for treatment and / or treatment."

Then a public debate occurred in Article 25 paragraph (3) which mentions the obligations that must be performed by a wife, namely:

a. obliged to manage household affairs as well as possible; b. keep the family together; Sertac. treat husbands and children well, and fulfill the rights of husbands and children according to religious norms, social ethics, and provisions of laws and regulations.

Action to celebrate International Women's Day in Jakarta (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

In addition to regulating the issue of sexual deviance, the Family Resilience Bill also regulates what can and should not be done regarding the sperm and ovum of the Indonesian people. At least, there are four articles in the bill that regulate this matter.

Article 26 paragraph (1) states that a married couple has the right to reproduce. Then in paragraph (2) it is regulated that reproduction can be done naturally and using intermediate technology.

"Every husband and wife who are legally bound by a marriage have the right to obtain offspring as referred to in paragraph (1) letter c can be done by natural means or assisted reproductive technology by using the results of fertilization of sperm and ova from the husband and wife concerned and implanted in the wife's womb. where does the ovum come from, "the bill states.

Then, Article 31 of the Bill prohibits the practice of buying and selling sperm or ovum for the purpose of obtaining offspring. Paragraph (2) also prohibits anyone from persuading, facilitating, coercing, and / or threatening other people to trade sperm or ovum.

"The state should have implemented a gender justice system that prioritizes the fulfillment of human rights as the foundation of development," said Lini.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the workers, as well as the General Chairperson of the Confederation of the Congress of the Indonesian Workers Alliance (KASBI), Nining Elitos, also rejected the losses incurred by women workers when the Omnibus Law on Cipta Kerja was passed.

"This action is our women's movement group demanding against the systematic violence perpetrated by the state against women today. We refuse and ask to stop the discussion of the Omnibus Law on the Cilaka Bill because the regulation monopolizes the workers and does not prioritize public participation," said Nining.

Of the 79 draft laws, 15 chapters, and 174 articles in this omibus law, it becomes a problem when none of the articles include regulations on maternity leave and menstrual leave. This bill is considered to be threatening and detrimental to women in the Indonesian workforce.

Currently, the right to vacation and leave is regulated in Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower, starting from articles 79, 81, 82, 83 and 84.

Meanwhile, the draft Job Creation Bill does not explain the provisions in the five articles above. The Draft Bill does not include the discussion, amendment or deletion status of the four articles, as is the case for other articles throughout the draft.

Action to celebrate International Women's Day in Jakarta (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

In the draft Work Creation Bill, the points of vacation and leave rights are only discussed in the amendments to article 79 of Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower. In the draft Job Creation Bill, the provisions of Article 79 are amended so that it reads as follows:

(1) Entrepreneurs are required to provide: a. time off; and b. paid leave.

(2) The rest period as referred to in paragraph (1) letter a must be given to workers / laborers at least covering: a. rest between working hours, at least half an hour after working for 4 (four) continuous hours and the break time does not include working hours; and b. weekly rest 1 (one) day for 6 (six) working days in 1 (one) week.

(3) The leave as referred to in paragraph (1) letter b that must be given to workers / laborers is annual leave, at least 12 (twelve) working days after the worker / laborer has worked for 12 (twelve) months continuously. .

(4) The implementation of annual leave as referred to in paragraph (3) shall be regulated in a work agreement, company regulations, or collective working agreement.

(5) In addition to the time off and leave as referred to in paragraph (1), paragraph (2), and paragraph (3), companies can provide extended leave as stipulated in work agreements, company regulations, or collective working agreements.

"Women are increasingly legitimized by the apprenticeship system and contracts that are increasingly being released to companies. People no longer have job security because the system is more flexible. Workers can be laid off at any time," said Nining.

In the Job Creation Bill, there is a sweetener offered by the government. The form of sweetener is bonus money which is equal to five times the salary for all official workers.

However, Nining feels that this cannot cover the uncertainty of fulfilling workers' rights in the Job Creation Bill. "That's sad. So far, the proof of labor is not protected. You should give them proper work rights first, then there will be additional sweetener money," he concluded.