Why Labor Workers Lack Major Political Influence: Expert Assessment

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Executive Director of Indonesia Political Review Ujang Komarudin explained his version of why labor workers have yet turned into a major political force in Indonesia despite laborers being the working class with the largest number in Indonesia.

"Laborers are yet to be considered as a major force, There are many of them, but not necessarily [a big political force]. because workers have been affiliated to many political forces, to many political parties," said Ujang to Tempo, Monday, May 1. 

The vast amount of labor power, he elaborated, has been divided and fragmented across political parties, which makes the labor vote no longer unanimous. He also noted that the Labor Party – founded in 1998 – lost in three elections and failed to break through parliament. 

"Even though the strength of labor in Indonesia is extraordinary. One of the factors is because workers have been affiliated, fragmented, divided, their support, their choices to many political parties," said Ujang.

Ujang explained that the Labor Party led by Said Iqbal that exists today is the reincarnation of the original  Labor Party which had sunk several dozen years ago. Despite appearing with a new face, Ujang believes the party’s homework remains the same, namely to reunite the voices of workers who have been divided into many political parties.

"Are workers weak? Definitely No. That's an ancient thought, but indeed the thought still penetrates into the heart of the workers, because they feel weak, only the labor elite, the heads of their work unions, and so on enjoy the struggle," said Ujang.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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