Bekasi (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Labor Ministry extended assistance of varying forms at the commemoration of International Labor Day 2021 at the Center for Job Training Development of the ministry in Bekasi City, West Java Province.

"Happy Labor Day. I hope our workers would become more productive, competitive, and prosperous," Labor Minister Ida Fauziyah stated after handing over assistance to workers here on Saturday.

The aid comprised 18 thousand packages of basic food for workers and 85 packages of assistance for business facilities in the independent labor programs for laid-off workers, and provision of the COVID-19 vaccine to 800 workers.

"We also laud companies that have persisted and are able to make various adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic," the minister remarked.

Furthermore, the ministry has offered Eid packages to health workers and non-medical supporters working at the Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta, as a form of the government’s concern for the fighters involved in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Fauziyah affirmed that the assistance was extended as a morale-boosting step for health workers to stay enthusiastic and continue to extend help and care for people infected with COVID-19.

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"Keep up the spirit and continue to work hard in order to realize all achievements to build Indonesia. Long live all workers in Indonesia and around the world," she remarked.

Meanwhile, President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSBSI), Eli Rosita Silaban, lauded and encouraged all trade unions and laborers across Indonesia to continue to harbor a fighting spirit amid the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Happy International Labor Day. I hope we are always healthy. We do not celebrate it in a big way, but still solemnly. We will continue to assist the government in its efforts to eliminate the spread of COVID-19," she stressed.

Chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Hariyadi Sukamdani emphasized that the commemoration of May Day 2021 offers the necessary momentum for economic recovery through collaboration with all parties, so that the COVID-19 pandemic can be tackled at the earliest.

"It is time to strengthen synergy between the government, employers, and workers. Currently, the employment of labor has also begun to show an increasing trend. It is expected to continue to increase and compensate for the decline that occurred at the start of the pandemic in order to prepare for further investment," she stated. Related news: Workers' nationwide strike against Job Creation Law to continue: KSPI



Translator: Pradita Kurniawan Syah, Katria
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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