May Day 2026 at the DPR: The Content of Five Labour Demands
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The May Day rally outside the House of Representatives building on Thursday (1/5/2026) was marked by thousands of workers from various organisations voicing their aspirations. At least 4,000 participants from the United Workers’ Movement for the People (GEBRAK), comprising 38 groups, took to the streets to convey their demands to parliament.
Meanwhile, a combined force of 6,678 personnel was deployed to ensure the protest proceeded peacefully. Several DPR members who received the labour representatives included Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Saat Mustofa, Puti Sari, and Habiburrahman.
During the meeting, the labour representatives presented at least five main demands to the DPR. First, they urged the ratification of the Employment Bill, deemed more favourable to workers. Second, they rejected outsourcing practices and flexible working systems considered detrimental to employees.
Third, they highlighted the threat of layoffs (PHK) amid global uncertainties.
Fourth, workers demanded the removal of several tax burdens on employees, including taxes on Holiday Allowances (THR) as well as schemes related to Old-Age Security (JHT) and pension guarantees. Fifth, they also pushed for the acceleration of ratifying the Asset Seizure Bill.
In addition to these five main demands, the protesters raised several additional issues, ranging from strengthening social security, protecting female workers, to civil liberties and democratic space.
A representative of the labour alliance emphasised that the protest in front of the DPR was chosen deliberately, even though some other labour groups attended the government’s May Day commemoration at a different location. They assessed that the current employment conditions still do not favour workers, thus necessitating the voicing of aspirations.
“This action does not mean we hate the government. But the current conditions for workers are still very tough, so we need to directly voice aspirations from various sectors, from manufacturing, plantations, mining to healthcare workers,” said the alliance representative in their statement.
They also highlighted the follow-up to the Constitutional Court decision regarding the Job Creation Law, particularly Constitutional Court Decision Number 168, which they believe should serve as the basis for redrafting employment regulations. Workers requested that the DPR involve trade unions substantively in the discussion process so that the resulting regulations truly reflect workers’ interests.
Additionally, the issue of wage disparities between regions was spotlighted. Workers noted significant gaps in minimum wages across various areas, urging the government to formulate a more nationally standardised wage system.
In practice, workers also highlighted the prevalence of non-permanent work systems, including outsourcing, contracts, and freelance work. Of around 62 million formal workers, about 40% are said to have non-permanent status, which weakens the protection of workers’ rights.
Another issue raised was the status of app-based transportation workers (online drivers), who are still categorised as partners. Workers called on the government to designate them as formal employees to obtain clearer protections and rights.
Not only that, workers also pushed for the ratification of international conventions, including the maritime fisheries workers’ convention and ILO Convention 190 on eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work.
On the democracy front, the protesters emphasised the importance of safeguarding freedom of association and expression. They also touched on the criminalisation of activists in previous protests, hoping the government would provide guarantees for protecting these civil rights.
Similar actions were reported not only in Jakarta but also held in various regions such as South Sumatra, Lampung, Central Java, East Java, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, to North Maluku, as part of this year’s International Labour Day commemoration.