Omnibus Law: Demonstrations to reject the ‘chaotic’ Job Creation Law in Bandung and Bandar Lampung, the Jokowi administration held a special press conference, rejecting allegations that the Job Creation Law ‘prioritizes big businessmen’

In the midst of a demonstration against the Omnibus Law that was marked by clashes, the Joko Widodo administration, through various ministers, held a special press conference on Wednesday (10/07) afternoon, responding to various allegations that the Omnibus Law was drawn up by “the interests of big businessmen.”

At the joint press conference, the relevant ministers explained the material of the Omnibus Law that it was alleged did not harm workers or society in general.

They also claim that the ratification process of this law was conducted openly during deliberations in the DPR.

Some ministers also asked the media to report on everything related to the Omnibus Law “properly and correctly.”

A minister at the press conference accused the public of “a lot of information distortion” surrounding the law.

This press release was issued amid protests against the Omnibus Law in various areas, including clashes between police and protesters, such as those in Bandung, Semarang and Bandar Lampung on Wednesday (07/10).

Some ministers also asked the media to report the material of the controversial law “adequately and correctly” so that “there is no distortion.”

This statement was made by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, at the end of the press conference, in which she clearly stated that the media must report “adequately and correctly” the content of the Omnibus Law.

“Earlier, the Minister of Law and Human Rights noted that there was no confusion,” Airlangga said.

At the beginning of the press conference, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that the Job Creation Law was a solution for job creation in Indonesia.

“The law is expected to be a solution for the creation of new jobs at the same time that it provides protection to MSMEs and cooperatives and increases the protection of workers,” he said.

It was also said that the purpose of creating the Employment Creation Law was to simplify, synchronize and cut the regulations that hinder job creation.

The Minister for Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, called on the media to help correct contradictory information about the law for the public.

He said there was what he called “an attempt to distort information on the Employment Creation Law.”

“So if there is confusion, not confusion, but distortion, it can be corrected. It can be transmitted correctly and proportionally.

“Too bad our people think this is something very exclusive,” Yasonna said.

In her statement, Yasonna stated that the discussion of the Employment Creation Act was held openly at DPR, so that the public could provide suggestions and comments.

“The discussion is very open, although relatively fast, it is discussed in the Working Committee via streaming. The good input of all the factions is discussed. All are open,” he said.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ida Fauziyah said this law still regulates the provisions on severance pay that workers receive when they lose their jobs.

It also states that workers will also have a “job loss guarantee.”

For workers who are threatened with layoffs, according to him, “the Employment Creation Law still regulates the provisions regarding job loss insurance programs whose benefits are in the form of cash, access to information on the labor market and job training “.

“So it is not true that the terms and conditions for layoffs are cut. It will continue to be regulated in accordance with Law 13/2003 ”, he said.

In addition, Ida said that people who lose their jobs will have access to the labor market that is regulated by the government, so she said it will be easier for them to get new jobs.

In her statement, Ida also stressed that “many distortions of information that develop in society are actually far from reality.”

Ida did not elaborate on this assumption.

At the press conference, the head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, said that the Employment Creation Law not only deals with large investments, but also with the investment of MSMEs.

That is why, according to him, “it would be wrong for people to say that this law is only for big businessmen. That is not true,” Bahlil said.

He then gave an example that the law also gave rise to small and medium enterprises. “MSMEs are given space to take charge of their permits, it is no longer the same as dealing with large PT permits,” he said.

“One sheet (permission), three hours were finished,” he admitted. “No fees.”

Therefore, according to Bahlil, this law is only for large entrepreneurs.

Then he said “do not make topics that make others difficult.”