PDIP Labour Day Commemoration: Hasto Urges Workers to Unite in Facing Economic Challenges

JAKARTA - The Secretary General of PDI Perjuangan (PDI-P), Hasto Kristiyanto, reminded of the importance of the spirit of mutual cooperation and worker unity in facing the current economic challenges. Hasto assessed that togetherness and mutual cooperation form the main strength to drive changes that favour the little people. “That with mutual cooperation in ideas, mutual cooperation in movement, and mutual cooperation together with worker unity, we can change our great Indonesia,” Hasto said at the PDI-P International Labour Day Commemoration 2026 themed “Banteng Pro Pekerja: Buruh Berdaulat, Indonesia Berdikari” at GOR Otista, Jakarta, on Sunday (3/5/2026). He also touched on the phenomenon of deindustrialisation that could impact employment conditions. Hasto emphasised that the workers’ struggle is not only aimed at maintaining the existing conditions but also at driving improvements in the quality of life for Indonesian workers. He explained that countries that gained independence around the same time as Indonesia, such as South Korea, are now able to build industrial strength and improve their workers’ welfare. Therefore, Hasto invited all worker elements to continue strengthening unity and the spirit of mutual cooperation in fighting for workers’ rights. On that occasion, Hasto also recalled the teachings of Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno, who positioned the independence struggle as an effort to free the oppressed people, including workers, farmers, fishermen, and the poor. According to Hasto, that spirit must continue to be enlivened in national life today, especially to ensure that workers obtain their rights, such as freedom of association, work protection, and welfare improvements. “That is why today we together build our commitment that independence for workers to associate, to obtain protection, to obtain their welfare as an effort to enhance Indonesia’s civilisation must be fought for together,” he asserted.