Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read
the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. dismay (n.) [dis-mey] – a sudden
disappointment
Example: Passengers’ dismay increased as the airline
cancelled more flights.
2. protest (n.) [proh-test] – an expression of
disapproval against something or someone
Example: Protests are usually done by groups of people who share a similar
goal.
3. lay-off (idiom) [ley] [of] – removal of
employees in a company
Example: Lay-offs commonly happen when the economy is bad.
4. implementation (n.) [im-pluh-muhn-tey-shuhn] – the application
of a plan, idea or proposal.
Example: The manager is
waiting for the implementation of the
plan he approved.
Article
Read
the text below.
Thousands of Indonesian workers staged a protest during the International
Labor Day to demand for higher wages and more secured jobs.
Around 50,000 people from 66 various workers’ groups were
initially expected to join the protest, but on the day itself, it was unclear
how many workers marched together towards the gates of the presidential palace
in Jakarta.
Upon reaching the gate of the palace, which was protected by a
lot of guards, the protesters burned tires to express their dismay over
the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The workers’ demands include the increase of minimum wage which
presently does not exist on a national level as regional governments set the
lowest amount of salary a person receives for a day.
In addition, protesters also demanded companies to stop
outsourcing or employing another company to handle a part of the business
because this often leads to lay-offs. They
also asked for rights of employees’ organization and the implementation of government insurance
for all Indonesian workers.
President Yudhoyono, who was then visiting factories around
Jakarta, was not in the palace to witness the protesters calling for his and
his vice president’s resignation.
Viewpoint
Discussion
Enjoy
a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion
A
·
How
does outsourcing help a company?
·
How
does it create a problem for workers?
Discussion B
·
Why should the government provide insurance
for workers?
·
What is the benefit of providing insurance
for workers?
