"Starting next year, labor hospitals will be built in cities which have many industries, such as Tangerang, Bekasi, and Surabaya."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed hope that workers in Jakarta and the rest of the country would stage peaceful rallies to mark the International Labor Day or May Day on Tuesday.
"The President hopes that all rallies run peacefully," said Daniel Sparingga, the president`s special staff for political communication, in a press statement on Monday.
Daniel added that the head of state had also urged the entire Indonesian nation to share sympathy with workers who observed day.
He said this year was very special for Indonesian workers, as the President had issued a number of strategic decrees to promote their living standard.
One of the decrees, Daniel stated, was with regard to the construction of dedicated hospitals for workers and their families.
"Starting next year, labor hospitals will be built in cities which have many industries, such as Tangerang, Bekasi, and Surabaya," he said.
"The President had also ordered the construction of low-cost houses for workers, including affordable rented flats that are close to their workplaces," Daniel added.
"The President would also distribute 200 buses to provide transport facilities for workers," he said.
"In the first phase, the buses would be made available in such industrialized cities as Tangerang, Bekasi, Surabaya, and Batam," Daniel added.
He said the government was also determined to raise the limit of untaxed income to Rp2 million from Rp1.3 million per month.
"These are important to promote workers` living standard," Daniel stated.
"The President would also congratulate workers on their achievements during the Labor Day and would consider their demands made during the rallies," he said.
Thousands of workers from Jakarta and surrounding places are expected to observe International Labor Day on Tuesday by holding rallies in a number of places in the capital, such as the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. Some workers also plan to stage rallies outside the State Palace.
(T.D016/Uu.S012/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
