Labors Call in Layoff Issue to Government Over Private Meeting

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Early this morning (1/9/2015), sea of people from a combined group of Indonesian Labor Union (KSPI), Federation of the Whole Indonesian Labor (KSPSI) and Indonesian Confederation of Prosperous Labor Union (KSBSI) marched into the Central Jakarta area with their final destination set to be the Presidential Palace (Istana Merdeka).

Today’s labor strike is provoked by the growing discontentment among labors over the nation’s economic volatility which has forced many companies to downsize and reduce its force.

Labors wanted further clarifications from the government as to the series of layoff that they are forced to go through as the downsizing of their company’s force is underway.

It was initially feared that the labor strike may provoke exacerbation on usual traffic build up, so Jakarta Governor resort to proposing appropriate facility for the negotiation between the government and the labor union representatives to take place.

Avoiding possibility of strike turning into a riot, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan decided to hold a private meeting with Labor Union representatives at 13.30 pm in his office.

He was planning to carry out an effective and peaceful dialogues with the Labor’s representatives as to reach desirable win- win situation,

During the private meeting, it has been reported that representatives from the Labor Union outlined a number of things that have become a great concern to Minister Luhut.

The main focus was placed upon the topic of Indonesian uncertain economic condition and what the government will do to appease and address possibility of skyrocketing unemployment rate along with the discontented population who have to experience layoffs despite their outstanding capability.

Additionally, labors demanded for an increase in minimum wage up to 22% by 2016 as to help maintain people’s purchasing/ buying power amidst uncertain economic situation.

Former Chairman of President’s Advisory Council, Emil Salim said that the labor strike has in so many ways interfered in the workings of government and has generated discouragement in the overcoming process done on the nation’s currently subjugated economic condition.

“Things are hard now, it is best for any party to avoid adding the government’s burden. Why don’t we all address this issue together instead of attacking it with a series of strike? How can the government help grant wishes of the labors if their demands are being expressed through demonstration, it will be much more effective to have a dialogue examining the impacts of our economic condition and discuss the best solution that could benefit us all,” Emil explained, Tuesday (1/9/2015). (Akp/Ein)