DPR: People's welfare must be protected through justice for workers
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal stated that public welfare must be protected through justice for workers and policies that safeguard them, during the commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day 2026.
He assessed that the demands voiced by labour groups do not stand alone as industrial relations issues but are directly linked to the needs for maintaining broader societal living stability.
“The aspirations brought by fellow workers in the May Day 2026 action demonstrate that public welfare must be protected through justice for workers,” Cucun said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.
According to him, the demands and expectations forming the labour agenda for this May Day further indicate that welfare issues can no longer be separated between the workplace and family life.
“Because the pressures faced by workers today directly affect families’ ability to maintain their basic needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the action on Friday, Indonesian labour groups brought 11 demands and hopes, including the abolition of outsourcing and rejection of low wages, anticipation of potential mass layoffs (PHK) due to the Iran versus United States (US) and Israel war, and the enactment of a new Employment Law.
In addition, workers demanded tax reforms, the abolition of taxes on holiday allowances (THR), old-age security (JHT), severance pay, pension guarantee, and an increase in the minimum non-taxable income (PTKP). Workers also requested the appointment of honorary teachers and workers as civil servants (ASN), not as non-permanent civil servants (PPPK).
He assured that the DPR is ready to escort and support improvements in workers’ welfare. He also conveyed that the discussion of the new Employment Bill will use the omnibus law method to revise existing regulations, particularly in response to the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding the employment cluster in the Job Creation Law.
“The Employment Bill will be discussed by the DPR in the session period after this recess,” Cucun said.
He viewed the strengthening aspirations on Labour Day as part of a larger need, namely maintaining public welfare through policies that provide certainty.
Cucun stated that national stability relies on society’s ability to live daily life with a sense of security regarding employment and family futures.
“Protecting workers’ welfare ultimately means safeguarding the foundation of national resilience,” he said.
To that end, he extended congratulations on commemorating International Labour Day. He also hoped that the May Day 2026 celebration taking place at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Friday would proceed smoothly and orderly.
“All workers, whether in formal or non-formal sectors, permanent workers or daily or seasonal workers, deserve protection and welfare guarantees,” he said.