Prabowo Promises to Provide Daycare in Industrial Areas

President Prabowo Subianto has promised to provide daycare or childcare facilities in industrial areas. He stated that these facilities are intended for the children of workers who are employed there.

Prabowo delivered this promise in a speech to a crowd of workers during the International Labour Day commemoration at the National Monument area, Jakarta, on Friday, 1 May 2026. He mentioned receiving suggestions for the government to prepare daycare for workers.

The Chairman General of the Gerindra Party assessed that childcare facilities are important for workers. “Earlier, it was mentioned that workers need a childcare place, daycare. This is a good suggestion. We will fight for this,” said Prabowo from the podium.

This former defence minister claimed he would immediately advocate for the establishment of these daycare facilities. “This is a good suggestion, we will fight for this, we will implement this as soon as possible,” he stated.

The proposal for daycare provision for workers emerged during the May Day 2026 commemoration at Monas. The idea was voiced by the Chairman General of the Indonesian Workers’ Union Confederation, Ilhamsyah, during his oration before Prabowo.

According to Ilhamsyah, many workers face difficulties in entrusting their children while working. “We hope the state is present to create daycare in industrial areas, in workers’ settlements, so that workers’ children can live decently, so that workers’ children can grow and develop well,” he said.

This year, several workers’ unions and labour federations in various regions held International Labour Day commemorations on Friday, 1 May 2026. The commemoration in Jakarta was split into two locations: the Monas area in Central Jakarta and in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Central Jakarta.

The All-Indonesian Workers’ Union Confederation together with the Labour Party held May Day at Monas. However, it was not an action to voice demands; the May Day at Monas was held in the form of a celebration featuring President Prabowo Subianto.

Several workers’ union organisations chose not to join the 2026 May Day celebration at Monas with the authorities. Those who refused are united in the Labour Movement Alliance with the People or Gebrak.

This alliance consists of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade 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 voice 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 stated that the action organised by his group differs from that organised by KSPSI at Monas. He described the Labour Day commemoration in front of the DPR building as an independent and autonomous action.

“The May Day celebration organised at Monas, in our view, is laden with mainstream narratives and co-optation by those in power,” he said.