Labour Action at Monas Concludes, Some Head Home, Others Await Buses

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The International Labour Day (May Day) commemoration at Monas, Central Jakarta, concluded on Friday (1/5/2026) at 17.00 WIB.

However, not all May Day participants have left the Monas area yet.

Kompas.com observations at 17.40 WIB showed workers still sitting along the roadside of Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan towards the Tugu Tani.

Some participants were sheltering in security tents and medical tents due to light rain that fell at Monas.

Meanwhile, food wrappers, plastic waste, drink bottles, and cardboard were scattered along Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, in front of the horse statue, and within the Monas area.

Public facilities and infrastructure officers (PPSU) have begun cleaning up the rubbish at the location.

One worker still waiting at Monas, Solihin (51), said he and his colleagues were waiting for the bus to return to Lampung.

According to information received by Solihin, the bus is currently stuck in traffic.

“If I’m not mistaken, it’s parked around Senayan. We’re a group from Lampung with two buses. Still waiting for everyone,” Solihin said when met at the location.

Solihin explained that he and the participants departed from Lampung at 19.00 WIB.

They arrived in Jakarta at 06.00 WIB in the morning and headed straight to Monas.

“We’ll head straight home after this because we have to go back to work tomorrow,” said the roof tile factory worker from Lampung.

This Friday’s May Day commemoration at Monas was attended by a mass of workers and ride-hailing drivers.

Participants filled the areas inside and outside Monas starting from 06.00 WIB.

President Prabowo Subianto was present at the location and delivered a speech after orations by labour organisation leaders.