Jakarta Globe, SP/Deti Mega Purnamasari, May 01, 2014
Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo meets with Women’s Action Committee representatives on May 1. (SP Photo/Deti Mega) |
Jakarta.
Governor and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) presidential
candidate Joko Widodo, popularly know as Jokowi, received a delegation of
female workers on Thursday who handed him their “2014 black note” — a petition
urging him to take action against workplace discrimination — as tens of
thousands of workers took to the streets to mark International Workers’ Day.
The
workers, representing the Women’s Action Committee (KAP), said they had seen no
significant progress for female workers during Joko’s time in office.
“Discrimination
on hourly wages and unpaid unpaid overtime has been [an ongoing problem], KAP
member Listiyowati said. “There’s no menstrual leave and maternity leave. After
[mothers] deliver babies, their contracts are terminated.”
Under
Indonesian labor law, companies are required to provide two days of paid leave
per month to menstruating women. Indonesia is among a small groups of countries
— along with Japan, Korea and Taiwan — that off generous menstrual leave,
although the policy is controversial and sometimes absent in practice.
The workers
also asked for greatwe protections for domestic and migrant workers.
Joko said
he was taking the demands seriously.
“The most
important thing is that I know and understand, and hopefully can fight for
[women],” Joko said. “There are many basic problems that have not been solved
because of the absence of laws.”
He said he
would fight for decent jobs, fair wages and safe conditions for women.
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