Monas to Host May Day 2026, Workers Claim Surprise from Prabowo
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The commemoration of International Labour Day (May Day) 2026 will be centred in the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta, on Friday (1/5/2026). This event is expected to be one of the largest labour actions, with hundreds of thousands of participants from various regions and the presence of President Prabowo Subianto.
The President of the All-Indonesian Confederation of Workers’ Unions (KSPSI), who is also part of the May Day committee, Andi Gani Nena Wea, stated that the total confirmed crowd reaches around 400,000 people, including workers and online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers.
“The confirmed crowd number is 400,000. From workers 211,000, and there will also be online motorcycle taxi friends joining because Mr President will deliver a surprise tomorrow,” said Andi Gani during a press conference in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (29/4/2026).
“What is the surprise? Let Mr President deliver it. It will address matters related to online motorcycle taxis, ILO ratification, and several policies that he will announce for workers’ welfare,” he said.
According to Andi Gani, after orations from labour union leaders, President Prabowo will give a speech and then invite the present confederation labour leaders to join him on the main stage.
“After the President speaks, Mr Prabowo will invite all the confederation presidents present on the main stage to come forward together with him to sing struggle songs,” he explained.
The song to be sung is “The Internationale”, known as the international labour struggle anthem, along with several other national songs.
Since the event is held on a Friday, the committee is also preparing Friday prayer facilities in the Monas area, complete with ablution places. That Friday prayer will be led by a national figure as imam and khatib, although the identity has not been announced.
“The Friday prayer will be led by a national figure as imam and khatib. After the Friday prayer, the event will continue. The event is estimated to finish at 17.00 WIB,” explained Andi.
Andi Gani explained that the selection of Monas as the main location was because it is deemed capable of accommodating a large crowd of hundreds of thousands.
“Why didn’t we choose GBK? We considered the President’s closeness. The President wants to be close to the workers, he will shake hands,” he said.
“Well, if at GBK, how to shake hands? Because there are boundary fences, stands, and so on,” he added.
Several entry gates to the Monas area will be opened from 05.30 WIB. The committee is also preparing three main access gates for arriving participants.