Get Ready! Workers to Stage Massive Demonstrations Across Indonesian Cities

Dateline: Jakarta — The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) plans to hold waves of large-scale actions in industrial regions to reject Minister of Manpower Regulation Number 7 of 2026 which regulates outsourcing. The demonstrations will run from June to July 2026. KSPI Vice President for Infokom and Propaganda Kahar S. Cahyono said opposition to outsourcing rules is spreading after a national action was held at the Ministry of Manpower building some time ago. “KSPI also carried out large-scale actions last week. We involved thousands of people at the Ministry of Manpower after May Day,” Kahar said at a press conference, Tuesday (19/5/2026). The action was held to urge the government to revise Ministerial Regulation No. 7 of 2026. KSPI argues the regulation would widen outsourcing practices amid rising threats of layoffs. After the national actions, KSPI began to consolidate movements in industrial regions. The union claims several areas have started drafting demonstration agendas in waves. “The large-scale actions will be carried out in major industrial cities. For example in Surabaya, then Serang, Semarang, Medan, Batam, Bandung, and in other industrial cities,” he added. According to the union, outsourcing systems make workers easier to dismiss at any time, with outsourced workers being in the most vulnerable position when companies pursue efficiency due to rising production costs. “Outsourced workers are flexible workers; they are easy to recruit and also easy to lay off,” Kahar said. The union claims layoffs are currently rising in tandem with pressure on the manufacturing industry. Therefore, they call on the government to promptly evaluate employment policies that they say worsen the situation for workers. “Ultimately they cannot work until retirement age and then can be laid off easily at any time,” Kahar said. KSPI confirms that protests against Ministerial Regulation No. 7 of 2026 will continue until the government agrees to revise the rule. The labour federation also invites unions in various regions to monitor outsourcing and layoffs issues. “From June to July, we have information that there will also be actions carried out in various regions in waves,” he said. (dce)