Marking International Labour Day, PDI-P Presents 8-Point Manifesto for Workers' Struggle

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) held a commemoration of International Labour Day (May Day) 2026 at GOR Otista, Jakarta, on Sunday (3/5/2026). At the event, PDI-P presented an 8-point Manifesto for Workers’ Struggle. The manifesto was read by Charles Honoris, Chairman of the PDI-P Central Executive Board for Social Security and Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI). Charles Honoris emphasised that the Labour Day commemoration is not merely an annual ceremony, but a crucial moment to revive the narrative of liberation for the oppressed people. “In the view of PDI Perjuangan, the Marhaen class today is not only farmers, fishermen, and factory workers. It encompasses informal workers, indigenous communities, SME actors, to digital workers who are vulnerable or the digital precariat,” said Charles while reading the manifesto. Charles explained that in efforts to protect the Marhaen class, PDI Perjuangan adheres firmly to three main teachings of Bung Karno regarding the duties of political parties. Secondly, the Party acts as a means of struggle to ensure the people live decently, honourably, justly, and prosperously, and to ensure that the basic needs of every citizen are met. Thirdly, the Party serves as a bearer of enlightenment that provides direction and concrete knowledge in the national political struggle. “Political parties are not merely tools of power, but torches of struggle that provide concrete knowledge for workers to fight for their rights constitutionally,” he stated. For example, regarding social security protection, certainty of decent wages, protection of workers in the digital sector, to strengthening the bargaining position of workers in the national economic structure. 1. The workers’ struggle must be part of the struggle to free the Indonesian people from the shackles of poverty resulting from unfair economic policies. Workers must be guaranteed their freedom to assemble, unionise, and fight for a humane and decent life.