Protest at NTB Governor's Office: Students and Workers Demand Fair Wages

Hundreds of students and workers in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) held a protest rally to commemorate International Labour Day or May Day in front of the NTB Governor’s Office on Friday afternoon (1/5/2026). The action, which began around 4:00 p.m. WITA and continued until just before Maghrib, highlighted various labour issues, from contract work systems to social security for workers. The protesters demanded certainty of fair wages amid economic conditions deemed unstable. “We, the workers of NTB, demand the abolition of contract work systems (outsourcing) and internships, and call for permanent employee appointments to ensure workers’ future security,” said Galang, the May Day Action Coordinator, in front of the governor’s office. Galang stated that all workers in NTB are also urging the NTB Provincial Government to establish fair wage standards that favour the real needs of the community. They assessed that wage determinations so far have accommodated business interests more than the welfare of the working class. “National fair wages must be determined based on the real living needs of the people, not based on business capital accumulation interests,” he continued. Lalu Nazir Huda, Chairman of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of Mataram University, highlighted the prevalence of unilateral layoffs (PHK) that harm workers in NTB. This student from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at Unram demanded legal protection for workers, with stronger regulations from the government. “Reject unilateral PHK, provide strong legal protection guarantees for workers from corporate arbitrariness,” Nazir emphasised. In addition, the protesters also demanded comprehensive social security for all workers, including access to healthcare services and decent old-age benefits. “Ensure every citizen receives full access to healthcare and old-age benefits covered by the state through wealth taxes,” he asserted. In response, NTB Regional Secretary Abul Chair met with the hundreds of students and workers protesting to commemorate International Labour Day or May Day in front of the NTB Governor’s Office. Abul expressed the local government’s commitment to follow up on the various demands conveyed. All aspirations voiced by the students and workers will be accompanied and forwarded to local leaders and the central government. “We will accompany and convey all these demands to the Governor and also the central government as our commitment to side with the working class. Especially regarding fair wages for workers, the abolition of contract status in employment, and government certainty in protecting workers’ rights,” said Abul Chair in front of the protesters. In addition, the NTB Provincial Government is also opening space for further dialogue as a follow-up to the action. This is done in response to the protesters’ desire to meet directly with Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal and Deputy Governor Indah Damayanti Putri. Abul assured that the meeting will be facilitated soon so that the aspirations of the workers and students can be discussed comprehensively. “We will schedule further discussions with action representatives together with the Governor and Deputy Governor as a follow-up to today’s meeting,” Abul concluded.