"We started our rally from the HI Circle and marched to the Palace," President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Labor Unions (KSPSI) Andi Gani Nena Wea remarked here on Friday.
The workers participating in the rally came not just from Jakarta, but also from surrounding cities such as Bekasi, Tangerang, Bogor, and Depok by using bus transport services.
Andi stated that on May 1, KSPSIs members joined a civic mission and on May 2, they held a rally.
"Although we did not join the other labor unions, which staged rallies on May 1, we will like to announce that we have no conflict with them," he reiterated.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Businessmens Association (Apindo) Sofyan Wanandi was of the viewpoint that the May Day celebrations this year were politically motivated.
A political game was very likely, given the fact that the presidential election will be held in July, this year, he asserted.
"2014 is the year of politics. So, the rallies being held are not to genuinely fight for the workers rights, but there are vested political interests behind them," Wanandi emphasized.
"On May 1, they should have held celebrations and conducted a deep introspection. During the campaigns prior to the presidential elections, they can announce their support to certain presidential candidates. I think they have changed the course of their fight," he added.
According to media reports, KSPSI and its rival, KSPI, have supported different presidential candidates, Prabowo and Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
On Thursday, presidential candidate from the Great Indonesian Movement (Gerindra) party Prabowo delivered a speech before the rallying workers at the Bung Karno sports stadium.
Labor unions that took part in the event were the Federation of Indonesian Metal Labor Union (FSPMI), the Confederation of Indonesian Labor Union (KSPI), and other labor organizations. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
