Labour Bill Must Address Workers' Aspirations

JAKARTA - The revision of Law Number 13 of 2003 has become one of the demands from labour groups during the commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day 2026.

In a positive response, President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his commitment to the Labour Bill, which is hoped to be completed this year.

Member of Commission IX of the DPR, Netty Prasetiyani, stated that the Labour Bill must be able to address the increasingly complex challenges in the world of employment.

In her view, workers’ issues no longer concern just wages, but also encompass certainty of employment status, social protection, and the ability to adapt to the increasingly dynamic changes in the world of work, including the development of the digital economy.

Therefore, the Labour Bill must at least serve as a legal umbrella regulating protection for fair wages, restrictions on excessive outsourcing practices, certainty of status for contract workers, strengthening of social security, and protection for informal workers and digital platform workers such as online drivers and freelancers.

“The state must not be absent in protecting workers. There must be no workers living in uncertainty, whether in the formal or informal sectors,” said Netty.

Business owners must view their workers as strategic partners in company growth. She encouraged business owners to prioritise principles of justice, balance, and sustainability in running their businesses.

“The success of a company is not only measured by the size of its profits, but also by how far the company is able to provide welfare, a sense of security, and room for development for its workers,” said the politician from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

“If possible, it must be completed this year as well. And that law must side with the workers,” said Prabowo during the International Labour Day (May Day) commemoration at Monas, Jakarta, on Friday (1/5/2026).

He emphasised that he has instructed the Minister of Manpower and the Minister of Law to immediately coordinate with the DPR to accelerate the discussion of the bill.

“I have also given instructions to the Minister of Manpower and the Minister of Law to immediately, together with the DPR RI, complete the Labour Bill,” said Prabowo.