President Prabowo Emphasizes Government’s Commitment to Labor’s Welfare in Labor Day Commemoration in Monas

President Prabowo attends the International Labor Day commemoration event, held in Monumen Nasional (Monas) area, Jakarta (5/1). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto attended the International Labor Day commemoration event, held in Monumen Nasional (Monas) area, Jakarta (5/1). The event was attended by more than 200,000 laborers and workers from many regions, coming with the spirit of solidarity and struggle.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of the presence of the state to ensure the welfare and justice for laborers. The Government will continue to work hard to create a manpower system that is fair, productive, and sustainable, he added.

“We will work hard so that all Indonesian people can get good health services and medicines at the cheapest price. We will fight on this. We have seen and calculated that our country, Indonesia, has so much potential,” he said.

Responding to the six main demands of the labor union, President Prabowo stated that he would follow up on all aspirations with serious efforts and called on the relevant ministries to get involved in conducting an in-depth study.

The six main demands are the elimination of the outsourcing system, ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill, revision of Law Number 13 of 2003 on Manpower, Realization of Decent Wages, ratification of the Asset Confiscation Bill to eradicate corruption, and Formation of the Termination of Employment Task Force.

“I’d like to give a present to all laborers today. Soon, I will form a national labor welfare board that consists of all figures of labor leaders in Indonesia. They will be responsible for analyzing the labor’s situation and providing recommendation to the President regarding the weaknesses of laws that do not protect laborers’ rights. They will notify me about the incorrect regulations and we will fix it soon,” the President said.

He also said that through the recommendation of labor’s leaders, the Government will soon form the Termination of Employment task force. The President emphasized that the workers’ employment will not easily be terminated and he ensured that the Government would get involved in handling this demand directly.

In addition to the Law on Termination of Employment, the Government will also discuss the laws on protection of workers at sea, in the fishing industry, and protection of workers on ships. “We will soon pass the Bill on Domestic Workers Protection. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) who was present, Pak Dasco has reported to me that next week this bill will be discussed soon. Hopefully, within no more than 3 months, the law will be completed soon,” he said.

On the same occasion, President Prabowo also conveyed his determination to continue to strive to eliminate corruption in Indonesia. He also emphasized his support for the Asset Confiscation Law, which is one of the demands of laborers and workers at this moment.

“I fully support the asset confiscation law. Those who steal must return the assets,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/MUR)