Wish you a Happy Labor Day, President: Workers are Heroes

In the January-February 2024 period, 7,694 domestic workers/laborers were laid off. In fact, layoffs should be avoided.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Thousands of workers in Sidoarjo held a rally to commemorate May Day on Wednesday (1/5/2024) at Puri Surya Jaya. Their demands included the improvement of workers' welfare.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Welcoming International Labor Day which is celebrated every May 1, President Joko Widodo gave his congratulations via his social media page. President Jokowi emphasized that every worker is an everyday hero. They have a role in keeping the wheels of the economy turning.

"Let us continue the fighting spirit of the workers to achieve justice and prosperity together. Happy International Workers' Day," said President Jokowi on Wednesday (May 1, 2024).

On International Workers' Day, the President was on a working visit to the West Nusa Tenggara Province since Tuesday (30/4/2024). On Wednesday (1/5/2024), the President enjoyed his morning by cycling in Mataram City, NTB. At around 06.15 WITA, the President left the hotel where he stayed and cycled using his bamboo bike.

Also read: Workers Demand the Revoking of the Job Creation Law to Protect Work Partners

Several residents greeted President Jokowi as he exited the hotel. The President and his entourage then crossed Jenderal Sudirman Street, Terusan Bung Hatta Street, and returned to Jenderal Sudirman Street to the hotel where he was staying. During his working visit to NTB, the President also enjoyed a dinner at a noodle stall in Mataram City on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile in Jakarta and other big cities, thousands of workers held demonstrations. They demonstrated to commemorate International Workers' Day (May Day), this Wednesday. In the demonstration around the Arjuna Wijaya Statue, near the National Monument, for example, workers demanded the repeal of the Job Creation Law, the ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Law, the rejection of low wages, the elimination of the outsourcing work system, and the protection of workers in their relationships. partnership.

KOMPAS

To commemorate Labor Day, demonstrations will be held in several places in Jakarta.

The state takes care of workers' welfare

Separately, Expert Main of the Presidential Staff Office, Fajar Dwi Wisnuwardhani, emphasized that workers or laborers are an element of development. The state is always present to maintain the welfare of workers, even for those affected by layoffs, namely through the Job Loss Guarantee (JKP) program.

Since it officially took effect on February 1, 2022, more than 12 million workers have registered and met the requirements to become participants in the JKP program. JKP is mandated by Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation which has now been amended to Law Number 6 of 2023.

Workers or laborers are an essential element of development. The state is always present to ensure the well-being of workers, even for those who experience termination of employment, through the Employment Loss Guarantee program.

To regulate the implementation, the government has issued Government Regulation (PP) No. 37 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of the JKP Program. Fajar stated that the JKP program is a manifestation of the state's commitment to maintaining the welfare of workers, both before, during, and even after work.

Before the implementation of the program, according to Fajar, workers who were laid off had not yet received a social security scheme which could potentially affect their level of welfare and even their employment opportunities. "This is what encouraged the government to create the new social security program, namely JKP," Fajar said separately on Wednesday.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Temporary workers carried posters containing their demands during a rally in front of the House of Representatives building in Jakarta on Monday (7/8/2023). The participants, who were temporary workers, demanded a revision of Government Regulation Number 49 of 2018 concerning the management of government employees with employment agreements (PPPK) by including direct appointment as PPPK without educational level limitations.

Avoid layoffs

Encourage companies to avoid layoffs. Companies must prioritize healthy industrial relations and mutual understanding.

Further, Fajar mentioned the benefits of JKP for employees affected by layoffs. Firstly, employees will receive cash, with details of 45 percent of their salary for the first three months, and 25 percent of their salary for the following three months.

Workers will also have access to job market information and job training, both re-skilling and up-skilling. "The aim is to maintain the quality of life of workers or laborers affected by layoffs and help workers access the job market again," said Fajar.

Also read: Demonstrations Color the Commemoration of World Labor Day in Jakarta and Other Cities

Although the government has prepared a social security scheme for workers affected by layoffs, Fajar encourages companies to avoid layoffs. Companies should prioritize healthy and mutually understanding industrial relations.

Quoting data from the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker), in the January-February 2024 period, there were 7,694 domestic workers who experienced layoffs. The most layoffs occurred in DKI Jakarta with a total of 3,652 people or 47.45 percent of the total number of workers affected by layoffs nationwide.