TEMPO.CO, Depok - Depok Manpower Agency head Diah Sadiah said that thousands of workers from Depok, West Java, participated in a rally to commemorate the International Workers Day, which is also known as May Day, in Jakarta on Monday, May 1, 2017.

“Before the workers went to Jakarta, they urged the regional government to improve healthcare services for them in Depok,” Diah said on Monday, May 1, 2017.

Diah explained that eight leaders of the Depok branch of the Workers Forum initially intended to recruit 8,000 workers to join in the rally. However, the Depok administration called on them not to bring thousands of workers to the Capital. In addition, Depok mayor Indris Abdul Shomad had met representatives of the Workers Forum.

“Finally every branch sent 200-350 representatives to Jakarta,” Diah said.

Diah revealed that no rally was launched by workers in Depok, since masses were concentrated in Jakarta.

According to Diah, the city administration will strive to meet workers’ demands by calling on the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) to improve its services. Diah said that many hospitals were reluctant to provide best services for workers in Depok.

“They asked hospitals not to reject workers and provide swift services without additional bills,” Diah said adding that workers demanded all hospitals to work with BPJS Kesehatan.

IMAM HAMDI