Gebrak Alliance's Long March from Senayan Park to DPR Building
The Gebrak alliance, or Gerakan Buruh Bersama Rakyat, held a long march to commemorate International Labour Day on Friday, 1 May 2026. The march started from the Senayan Park area and proceeded to the front of the DPR, MPR, and DPD complex.
Tempo observations on Jalan Gatot Subroto in Central Jakarta at 1:30 PM WIB showed that the long march was joined by thousands of people, including labour union members, students, and civil society groups.
“Unity: workers, farmers, students, pupils,” shouted the orator from atop the command vehicle.
Previously, KASBI General Chairman Sunarno stated that his organisation and Gebrak had scheduled a demonstration in front of the DPR building to mark International Labour Day.
He explained that neither KASBI nor Gebrak participated in the May Day Fiesta organised by other labour unions at the National Monument area. The May Day Fiesta was attended by President Prabowo Subianto.
He noted that KASBI and Gebrak’s reluctance to join the May Day Fiesta stemmed from the still deeply concerning labour conditions, particularly regarding guarantees of certainty and worker status, which were heading towards informalisation practices.
“This means that permanent workers will increasingly diminish,” said Sunarno yesterday, 30 April 2026.
He continued that this situation was further exacerbated by regulations in the Job Creation Law and its derivatives, which have led to widespread violations of workers’ normative rights. For example, low wages, long working hours, and lack of social security.
Nevertheless, he said, the true character of the labour movement emphasises May Day on the historical roots of resistance against exploitation, class solidarity, and the independence of the movement.
Sunarno highlighted the stance of other labour unions that instead partied with those in power, rather than criticising various policies that are not pro-worker welfare.
“A true labour movement must be independent and not tamed by capital interests or political power that harms workers,” said Sunarno.