Ahead of May Day, Ahmad Luthfi Engages in Dialogue and Gathers Workers' Aspirations
Ahmad Luthfi conducted this during a visit and dialogue with labour unions and worker associations in Truntum Gama, Semarang City, on Monday (27/4). The event was attended by representatives from 78 worker and labour unions in Central Java Province. Similar activities were held in 2025.
Several issues and aspirations raised by the workers included termination of employment (PHK), unclear severance pay not fulfilled by companies, and worker and labour welfare problems. Luthfi responded to each aspiration presented by the workers who attended the event.
On this occasion, approaching the 2026 May Day commemoration, Luthfi also invited the workers to celebrate with constructive activities and maintain conduciveness in their respective areas.
“For the upcoming May Day commemoration, let us hold constructive activities without diminishing the essence of May Day itself. That is by maintaining conducive industrial relations,” Luthfi stated in his remarks on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
Luthfi stated that such constructive activities are very necessary to build good industrial relations between workers, companies, and the government. Especially in responding to the current global conditions that will indirectly affect Central Java.
He also explained that conduciveness as well as guarantees of security and public order in the area are one of the important requirements for investment. This is also what attracts investors to Central Java.
“If it is not conducive, then investment in our area will be disrupted,” he clarified.
Besides conduciveness, another requirement is easy and fast permitting. The Central Java Provincial Government is committed to guiding all permits for investments entering its territory. At the same time, it will also increase industrial zones and special economic zones in its area to make it even more attractive for investment.
Luthfi also encouraged improving the quality of human resources (HR) and competitive labour wages. HR improvement is carried out through optimising vocational schools, training centres (BLK), and polytechnics connected to companies.
This is done so that the available HR can be absorbed by incoming investments, thereby reducing the open unemployment rate (TPT) and increasing community welfare.
“We want workers and labourers not as production tools but to participate in developing the company,” he explained.
Furthermore, Luthfi stated that thanks to the guarantee of regional conduciveness, the 2025 investment realisation was Rp88.5 trillion, consisting of Rp50.86 trillion in foreign direct investment (PMA) and Rp37.64 trillion in domestic investment (PMDN).
Meanwhile, investment realisation for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was Rp21.52 trillion. The total investment in Central Java in 2025 was Rp110.02 trillion.
“Approximately 340,000 of our workforce were absorbed by industry, thus able to reduce the open unemployment rate,” he revealed.
The high investment also influenced economic growth reaching 5.37% in 2025.
On this occasion, socialisation of the 3 million houses programme for low-income communities was also conducted. The targets are worker unions and labour unions facilitated by Bank Jateng and the Central Java Housing Service.
“It is hoped that it will then be socialised and followed up for members of worker and labour unions, so they can access housing from this government programme,” said the Head of the Central Java Province Manpower and Transmigration Office, Ahmad Aziz.