Prabowo Announces Formation of Layoff Task Force During May Day Speech
President Prabowo Subianto announced the formation of the Task Force for Mitigating Termination of Employment Relations and Worker Welfare. Prabowo conveyed this measure while attending the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration at the National Monument, Jakarta, on Friday, 1 May 2026.
Prabowo stated that the formation of the Layoff Task Force was signed in Presidential Decree Number 10 of 2026. “I will defend the interests of workers; those threatened by layoffs, we will defend and protect you,” said Prabowo in his speech before the masses from various labour unions present.
The General Chairman of the Gerindra Party claimed that the state would take over the responsibilities of employers who are unable to cope. “If there are entrepreneurs who give up, don’t worry, our state is strong, our state will take over, will defend the Indonesian people. Don’t worry,” he stated.
Prabowo then stated that Indonesia is currently in a secure condition, both in the food and energy sectors, while many other countries are experiencing crises. He claimed that Indonesia has successfully achieved food self-sufficiency, and not long from now will achieve energy self-sufficiency.
The promise to form the Layoff Task Force was conveyed by Prabowo since last year’s Labour Day commemoration. During May Day 2025 at Monas, Prabowo stated that he would soon form the Layoff Task Force in his speech before the labour masses.
This year, several labour unions and labour federations in various regions held May Day commemorations on Friday, 1 May 2026. The International Labour Day commemoration in Jakarta was split into two locations: the Monas area, Central Jakarta, and in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building, Central Jakarta.
The All-Indonesian Confederation of Workers’ Unions together with the Labour Party held May Day at Monas. However, it was not an action to convey demands; the May Day at Monas was held in the form of a celebration featuring President Prabowo Subianto.
KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea said that the head of state would give a surprise to the labour unions during the 2026 May Day celebration. According to him, the surprise would be delivered directly by Prabowo when present on the celebration stage.
“It is related to online motorcycle taxis, ILO ratification, and worker welfare policies,” said Andi in a press conference at The Grand Mansion, Menteng, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.
President Prabowo, he said, would also give gifts to the workers in the form of T-shirts and umbrellas at the 2026 May Day celebration. According to Andi, the T-shirts were designed directly by the General Chairman of the Gerindra Party.
Several labour union organisations chose not to join the 2026 May Day celebration at Monas with the authorities. Those who refused are united in the Alliance of the People’s Labour Movement or Gebrak.
This alliance consists of the Confederation of the Congress of Indonesian Labour Union Alliances (KASBI), the Indonesian Workers’ Struggle Federation (FPBI), the Food and Beverage Workers’ Union Federation (FSBMM), as well as organisations from various elements of society. They will demonstrate to convey demands in front of the DPR building, Jakarta, during the Labour Day commemoration on Friday afternoon, 1 May 2026.
KASBI Confederation Chairman Sunarno said there would be around 10,000 people protesting in front of the parliamentary building. “We are carrying the theme May Day with the People,” he said when contacted on Thursday, 30 April 2026.
Sunarno said that the action held by his group was different from that organised by KSPSI at Monas. He stated that the Labour Day commemoration in front of the DPR building was an independent and autonomous action.
“The May Day celebration organised at Monas, in our view, is laden with mainstream narratives and power co-optation,” he said.