Labour Day: Bulog Distributes 350,000 Staple Food Packages to Workers at Monas
Perum Bulog distributed 350,000 staple food packages to all workers during the International Labour Day (May Day) commemoration in 2026 at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, as a gesture of concern for the economic conditions of workers.
Bulog’s President Director, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, stated that the company prepared the packages in line with instructions from President Prabowo Subianto, involving coordination across agencies in a short timeframe of just three days.
“Alhamdulillah, from this morning or even yesterday, we at Bulog, in accordance with the President’s directives, coordinated the preparation of 350,000 staple food packages intended for our brothers and fellow workers participating in World Labour Day,” said Rizal when met at Monas, Jakarta, on Friday.
According to him, each staple food package contains 2.5 kilograms of rice, coffee, tea, sugar, sardines, oil, and other basic necessities, which are hoped to help ease the daily living burdens of workers and their families.
In addition to the staple food packages, the government also provided free lunches for around 350,000 workers present in the Monas area as a form of direct support for the welfare of Indonesian workers on this day.
Rizal described the programme as a surprise and special attention from President Prabowo to workers, marking the first time such aid has been provided during the World Labour Day commemoration in Indonesia this year.
He mentioned that the budget for the entire assistance comes from the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg), while Bulog is responsible for preparing and distributing the packages optimally to the workers.
“If calculated, the value of this assistance is approximately Rp350,000 per package. (The budget) is from Setneg for the aid, while we at Bulog only prepare it,” he explained.
To ensure targeted distribution, every worker receiving a package is required to mark their hand with blue ink as proof that they have collected the provided assistance.
According to him, the event proceeded orderly and safely, with the workers’ actions running peacefully without anarchy, reflecting the maturity of the workforce as well as the synergy between security forces and the government in securing the event.
Bulog, together with ID Food and DKI Jakarta’s regional-owned enterprises, collaborated to prepare all logistical needs to ensure the smooth and timely distribution of staple food packages to workers today.
He hopes that the assistance programme will be able to maintain workers’ purchasing power, reduce economic pressures, and improve the welfare of workers and their families.
Bulog’s presence in the event embodies the company’s social concern as well as support for the government’s programme in ensuring food availability and access for the broader Indonesian working community today.
Rizal, along with Bulog’s board of directors, was present to directly inspect the distribution implementation to ensure all activities run optimally and in accordance with the previously established plans comprehensively.
He emphasised that Bulog’s participation in May Day 2026 reflects the company’s commitment to being present among the community, especially workers, in ensuring that food access remains affordable and adequate nationwide.
“This assistance is expected to help ease the economic burden on workers, maintain purchasing power, and improve the welfare of workers and their families,” said Rizal.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Syahrul, one of the workers from Cirebon, admitted that the staple food assistance he received greatly helps to alleviate the economic burden on workers amid rising living costs at present.
“Yes, this (staple food package) is very helpful for us workers throughout Indonesia,” said Syahrul when met after queuing for the staples.
He said he arrived at the Monas area since around 10 a.m. together with other fellow workers from the company where he works to participate in this year’s International Labour Day commemoration.
Syahrul mentioned that the group of workers from one manufacturing company in Cirebon departed using nine buses at once as a form of solidarity in fighting for aspirations while celebrating the May Day momentum together.