From President to Parliament, These Are the Workers' Voices on May Day in Jakarta

The commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day 2026 at Monas in Central Jakarta provided a platform for workers to express several aspirations. Various issues were raised, from labour policies and worker protection to welfare. Amid the presence of government and parliamentary representatives, worker delegates seized the moment to convey both appreciation and hopes. Various demands were delivered directly by union leaders and on-the-ground workers. President of the All-Indonesia Labour Confederation (KSBSI) Elly Rosita Silaban appreciated the attendance of President Prabowo Subianto at the May Day 2026 commemoration at Monas. She viewed this presence as a form of attention to workers. “First, thank you for the second consecutive time, Sir, joining the workers. This means you see workers as a group that needs to be fought for, and you love us,” Elly said at the event in Monas, Central Jakarta, on Friday (1/5/2026). Elly also noted Prabowo’s attendance as a rare occurrence on a global scale. “This, Sir, is the third president in the world—first Venezuela, second Bolivia, third Indonesia—who wants to celebrate Labour Day with workers. Applause for us all,” she stated. Push for Ratification of the Labour Law Said Iqbal conveyed several strategic worker aspirations. One of them concerned the push for the Labour Law to be ratified soon. “Respected Mr President, we bring 11 issues that are aspirations; the first is to ratify the Labour Bill—two years left, only five months more, hopefully enough time,” he said. He assessed that the ratification process often faces challenges. “Usually, the Labour Law has too strong ideological pulls; it can even go through three presidents without being ratified. Therefore, we respectfully request that on this May Day, hopefully by next year’s May Day, the Labour Law has been ratified and protects workers throughout Indonesia,” he added. Said Iqbal also appreciated the ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Law, which had been fought for over decades. “That law has been advocated for 22 years, and under your leadership, Mr President, it has been ratified. On behalf of domestic workers throughout Indonesia, across the nation, we express our thanks,” he said. Daycare to Housing in Industrial Areas Chairman of the Indonesian Workers’ Unity Confederation (KPBI) Ilhamsyah conveyed workers’ aspirations in front of Prabowo. Ilham highlighted the dilemma faced by young workers who have just married. “For young workers who have just married, started a family, and have children, they face a bitter choice: either leave the child with grandmother in the village or one of them stops working to care for the child,” Ilham said at Monas on Friday (1/5/2026). Ilham hoped the state would provide solutions. He wanted the government to prepare daycare facilities in industrial areas. “We hope the state is present to create daycare,” Ilham stated. Prabowo listened and noted the workers’ aspirations. Prabowo handwrote what was conveyed by the worker representatives. Ilham continued his hopes that worker settlements be equipped with daycare facilities for proper child development. It is hoped that workers’ children receive health guarantees and good childcare. He also supported the ongoing housing programme. Ilham hoped for a housing programme integrated with industrial areas. “Because 20 to 30 percent of wages are spent on monthly rent,” Ilham continued. Additionally, Ilham wanted effective oversight functions to ensure all rules are implemented. He emphasised that no company should pay wages below the provisions. “There should be no negligence regarding occupational health and safety; no more liberal employment relations, so the oversight function becomes the spearhead to enforce the constitution and uphold justice,” he said. Voicing Wages to Parliament At the Parliament, workers also conveyed their demands. Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad received representatives from the worker masses during the 2026 May Day celebration. The meeting took place in the Abdul Muis room of the DPR RI building, Jakarta. Present at the meeting were Deputy Speaker of DPR RI Saan Mustopa, Chairman of Commission III DPR RI Habiburokhman, Deputy Chairman of Commission IX DPR RI Putih Sari, and member of Commission IX Obon Tabroni. Representatives from the United Workers’ Movement for the People (Gebrak) alliance mentioned one aspiration conveyed regarding the Job Creation Law to be made in support of workers. They requested involvement in the discussion of that law. “We ask the DPR to immediately discuss the pro-worker Labour Law involving elements from labour unions,” said one Gebrak representative, Sunarno, at the meeting. Additionally, the workers requested improvements to the wage system in Indonesia. One issue highlighted was the significant difference in wage standards for Indonesian workers in various regions. “So the regional wage between one area and another has a quite large gap. For example, the lowest UMK of Rp 2.3 million in some parts of Central Java, West Java, and East Java compared to Rp 5.9 or at least Rp 6 million perhaps in some areas. And the difference is quite far,” he said. “Therefore, the government or state should create a concept or carry out national wage system reform towards a decent national wage,” he added. Additionally, they highlighted online drivers, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled, whose status they believe should be elevated to permanent workers. Because online drivers are often treated arbitrarily by the applications. “In general, we in the Labour Union agree on how the government establishes their status as workers. So not as partners. Because if partners, as we know so far, it’s still unilaterally determined by the application side,” he said. Hopes for Outsourcing Restrictions Another issue