Gifts and Promises from Prabowo for Workers on May Day 2026

President Prabowo Subianto attended the International Labour Day or May Day 2026 celebrations in Jakarta in person. Several gifts and promises were conveyed by Prabowo to the hundreds of thousands of workers present.

The May Day 2026 celebrations in Jakarta were held at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Friday (1/5/2026). In addition to Prabowo, Deputy Speaker of the DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and several members of the Red and White Cabinet also attended in person.

Prabowo also interacted directly with the workers. He was observed taking notes on several inputs provided by worker representatives.

In one moment, Prabowo joined in clenching his fist as the Internationale was sung. Prabowo recited the lyrics of the song known as a struggle anthem against capitalism.

“Today is the day of struggle for the working class. I thank you for the invitation to join you here today. It is an honour for me, thank you. I feel that the working class has always supported me several times, and I feel I became president because of the support from workers, farmers, fishermen, and all Indonesian workers,” said Prabowo in his speech at May Day 2026, Monas, Jakarta.

detikcom summarises several gifts and promises conveyed by Prabowo to workers at May Day 2026, as follows:

Ratification of ILO 188 and Presidential Regulation on Ojol Protection

Prabowo gave a gift to the working class at the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration. Prabowo stated that he had signed a presidential regulation ratifying International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188 to ensure protection and welfare for fisherfolk.

“Brothers and sisters, there is another gift for the workers. I have just signed Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026 on the ratification of International Labour Organization Convention No. 188 to ensure protection and welfare for fishing vessel crew,” said Prabowo at Monas, Central Jakarta, Friday (1/5/2026).

In addition, Prabowo stated that the government this year will inaugurate 1,386 fishing villages. The inauguration of fishing villages will continue in subsequent years.

“For the first time in the history of the Republic of Indonesia, fisherfolk are being properly managed. Next year we will open 1,500 fishing villages, the year after 1,500 more, and the following year another 1,500. In total, around 6 million fisherfolk and their families—over 20 million Indonesians—will have improved lives, prosperous lives. Those who have been struggling, going to sea without ice—now we will build ice factories in every fishing village. We will also help provide boats for them,” said Prabowo.

Another gift prepared by Prabowo at the May Day event was regulations on online transport protection. One of the benefits is that drivers will receive BPJS Health coverage.

“We are also regulating it; I have signed Presidential Regulation No. 27 of 2026 on the Protection of Online Transport Workers. As I mentioned, they must be given work accident insurance, BPJS Health, health insurance, and the revenue sharing, which was previously 80% for drivers, now at least 92% for drivers,” said Prabowo.

Promises of Daycare and Affordable Housing for Workers

Prabowo also promised to prepare daycare facilities and housing for workers. He targeted the construction of 1 million homes for workers this year.

“It was mentioned that workers need childcare places, daycare—this is a good suggestion, we will fight for it. We will implement it as soon as possible, brothers and sisters,” said Prabowo.

In addition, Prabowo will prepare 1 million homes for workers. He said these homes will be built near industrial areas close to workers’ workplaces.

“It was also mentioned that workers greatly need affordable housing. We have built quite a lot this year, up to 350,000 homes, but our target is at least 1 million homes. We will start this year with 1 million homes,” he said.

Prabowo stated that he has targeted the construction of new cities with 100,000 apartment units. These new cities will have many facilities, from schools, sports facilities, daycare, to transportation.

“We will build new cities. Each city might consist of 100,000 apartment units, and I have ordered that there must be schools, sports facilities, daycare, hospitals, and most importantly, transportation—whether light rail, buses—so workers can get to work smoothly and well,” he said.

In addition, workers will be given cards for affordable transportation. He even joked about the workers’ demand for free transportation.

“And brothers and sisters, we will try to ensure that workers with cards can use transport at very low prices—they want everything free,” said Prabowo jokingly.

“You have a leader behind me who wants everything free,” he continued, joking.

Cut in Ojol Fees Below 10 Percent

Prabowo also expressed his support for online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers at the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration at Monas, Central Jakarta. Prabowo wants the fee cut for ojol platform operators to be below 10 percent.

Initially, Prabowo posed a question to the worker masses present. Prabowo asked if ojol drivers wanted the platform fee cut to be just 10 percent.

“You want 10%, right? I say here, I do not agree with 10%. It must be below 10%,” said Prabowo, greeted with cheers from the attending worker masses.

“It’s easy for them; you sweat, they get the money—sorry about that. If they don’t want to comply, no need to operate in Indonesia,” he added.

Prabowo reaffirmed that he has signed Presidential Regulation No. 27 of 2026 on the Protection of Online Transport Workers. According to him, online transport workers must be given BPJS Health and a minimum 92% wage share.