President Welcomes Rallies to Mark May Day

Jakarta, Apr 29 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo hailed workers' plan to hold rallies to the international labor day on May 1 and asked the public not to worry about it. "Do not worry about rallies on May 1. It is just an expression of workers' happiness," he said when launching the one-million housing development program including for workers here on Wednesday. He said based on reports several labor organizations planned to conduct rallies on May 1 including a march from Hotel Indonesia roundabout to Merdeka Palace. "It is alright. What is important is maintaining it to remain peaceful and orderly," he said at the ceremony which was also attended by a number of cabinet ministers including manpower minister Hanif Dhakiri as well as the chief of the Indonesia Sejahtera (Welfare) Workers' Union (SBSI), Andi Gani Nenawea, and the chief of the Confederation of Indonesian Workers' Unions (SPSI), Said Iqbal. President Joko Widodo stated that the government was serious in preparing and providing houses for workers. Andi Gani Nenawea meanwhile assured that the May 1 rally would be peaceful and orderly. "It will be peaceful although there will be three million workers across the country and 100,000 to 150,000 workers in Jakarta taking to the street, which is the biggest in the world," he said. Labor organizations have also assured that there would be no blocking of toll roads and access to the airports on that day. Said Iqbal said several regions had prohibited workers to conduct rally on the labor day but "the President has allowed it and so they may just do it."