The president made this statement during his address at the 2025 Labor Day (May Day) commemoration in Monas, Jakarta, on Thursday, in response to aspirations conveyed by labor union leaders.
"I had met with labor figures, and they asked me about selecting a national hero from among the workers," he stated.
He then encouraged the labor leaders to discuss and put forward a name they deemed deserving of the nomination.
"They then said, how about Marsinah to become a National Hero?" he remarked.
The president immediately emphasized his commitment to fully supporting the proposal.
"As long as all labor figures represent the workers, I will support Marsinah's nomination as a National Hero," he stated.
Marsinah was a labor activist known for her determination to advocate for workers' rights in Indonesia.
Born on April 10, 1969, in Nganjuk, East Java, she worked at a watch factory in Sidoarjo. Marsinah actively led efforts demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
In early May 1993, she participated in a strike with her colleagues. After persistently voicing workers' demands in various agendas, she was found dead on May 8, 1993.
She is now remembered as a symbol of courage in fighting for justice for workers. Her fighting spirit is kept alive by various groups every International Labor Day.
For this year's Labor Day, one of the labor unions, the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), stated that the workers raised six demands: an elimination of the outsourcing system, the formation of a Layoff Task Force, the realization of living wage, protection for workers by passing a new Manpower Bill, domestic workers' protection through ratification of the PPRT Bill, and eradication of corruption by ratifying the Asset Confiscation Bill.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus/Genta Tenri, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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