"Several of them were even laid off because they had set up a labor union."Jakarta (ANTARA) - Incumbent Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) running mate, Ma'ruf Amin, and challenger Prabowo Subianto's partner, Sandiaga Uno, should discuss occupational safety and health (K3) at the next debate, Andy William Sinaga, Labor Institute Indonesia executive secretary, stated.
Law No. 1 of 1970 on K3 was obsolete and should be revised to catch up with the current progress, he affirmed here, Wednesday.
"Occupational safety and health guarantee should become one of the priorities of the candidates to improve the welfare of workers," Sinaga emphasized.
He expressed hope that the two vice presidential candidates would also discuss the workers' rights to join labor unions, as several companies ban their employees from joining or establishing a labor union.
"Several of them were even laid off because they had set up a labor union," he pointed out.
He also suggested that tripartite organizations, comprising representatives of labor unions, companies, and the government, be set up in regions to help mediate conflicts involving workers and employers.
"At present, some 30 percent of the cities and districts do not have tripartite organizations to handle labor issues," he remarked.
The main problems currently faced by workers in Indonesia are the lack of welfare facilities and descent jobs, he stated.
"Laborers or workers in Indonesia hope for an improvement in their living conditions and welfare after the legislative and presidential elections," he noted.
Amin and Uno, without the presidential candidates accompanying them, will face off in the third round of the presidential election debate to be organized on March 17, 2019.
Jokowi and Subianto are set to go head-to-head in the 2019 simultaneous legislative and presidential elections to be held in Indonesia on April 17, 2019.
Reporting by Aubrey KF, Fardah
Editing by Suharto
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
