Aceh Kita - May 1, 2007

Dara, Banda Aceh — International Labour Day, which
is known as May Day, was also commemorated in Aceh
on May 1. Hundreds of representatives of labour
organisations in the provincial capital of Banda
Aceh held a peaceful rally on the grounds of the
Acehnese Regional House of Representatives (DPRD)
and at the Simpang Lima roundabout.

In concert with the times, the growing strength of
global capitalism has resulted in workers becoming
even more oppressed, both in Indonesia as well as in
other parts of the world. In this context,
labourers, workers and even public servants and
employees are the ones that are most often
sacrificed for the interests of employers.

In speeches before the assemble protesters and
pedestrians, labour activists said that the action
was held to seek welfare improvements, particularly
the welfare of contract and healthcare workers. "We
want all contract teachers and healthcare workers
such as nurses to be promoted to full-time civil
servants", said one of the activists in a speech.

Meanwhile in a leaflet containing a statement that
was handed out to journalists, the demonstrators
demanded a 100 percent increase to the regional
minimum wage from 850,000 rupiah per month to 1.7
million rupiah. They also demanded the abolition of
’invisible’ fees, the provision of quality
employment opportunities the entire work force and
rejected the existence of contract labour systems.
"There is no such term as laborer and contract
teacher. We reject the law on contract teachers",
said an activist from the United Teachers Coalition
Front (Kobar GB).

They also called on the government to provide free
and quality education and healthcare for the people,
boost investment in order to wipe out unemployment
and increase Indonesia’s economic competitiveness.
"[But] if the investment that is developed does not
provide welfare to the Acehnese people, then there
is no need for investment", said Rahmat from the
Poor People’s Democratic Association (PDRM).

The mass action, which was also joined by non-
government organisation (NGO) activists, then moved
off from the DPRD to the Simpang Lima roundabout, a
central traffic thoroughfare in Banda Aceh. Aside
from wage increases, the protesters also demanded
that rights be provided to women workers such as
menstrual leave, maternity leave and pickup and
delivery transport services for women working at
night. The demonstrators also opposed death
sentences for migrant workers.

The first May Day action to be held in Banda Aceh
was also joined by 25 NGO institutions and work
units from various agencies. The action was tightly
guarded by police who directed traffic in order to
prevent a traffic jam or accidents occurring.

Also involved in the action were members of the
Banda Aceh Independent Journalist Association (AJI)
who brought posters reading "Fight for decent wages
for journalists“and”Journalists are also workers,
that is a fact!". [dzie]

[Translated by James Balowski.]