Reasons Why This Labour Group Chose May Day in Front of Parliament, Not at Monas

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Labour masses have emphasised that the May Day 2026 action in front of the DPR RI building is not a form of rejection of the current government.

General Chairman of the Confederation of the Congress of Indonesian Labour Alliances (KASBI), Sunarno, stated that the decision was taken as a form of protest against the labour conditions that are still deemed poor.

“On this occasion, we deliberately held the action at the DPR building, not at Monas with the President. We were also invited, but that doesn’t mean we hate the government or anything like that,” said Sunarno, during an audience with DPR RI leaders on Friday.

“But, with the current situation or the existing labour conditions that are still very poor, it means we still want to voice the aspirations of our grassroots comrades,” said Sunarno.

This alliance consists of various labour organisations, civil society groups, and students.

“We are from the Labour Movement Alliance with the People, which consists of various organisations. From labour unions, there are comrades from the KASBI Confederation, from FSBM, from the Media and Creative Industry Workers Syndicate, from FSPM comrades, then also KSN comrades. Then there is also the Campus Workers Union and also Medical and Health Workers, then also FPBI comrades,” said Sunarno.

In addition, the alliance also involves farmer groups, students, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“Then there are also farmer comrades, several farmer unions that are part of the agrarian reform consortium in several regions. Then there are also student comrades, from LMND, SMI, and Sempro. Then there are also representatives from community organisations, NGOs, there is YLBHI, LBH Jakarta, there is KontraS, there is Walhi, there is Greenpeace, and perhaps several other organisations,” he said.

“Both in the manufacturing industry, in industrial areas, in plantations, in mining, medical personnel, health workers, educators, and so on,” he said.

This explanation was given by Sunarno after Deputy Chairman of DPR RI Sufmi Dasco Ahmad conveyed greetings entrusted by President Prabowo Subianto to him.

“I apologise for being a bit late, earlier I received a call from the President. Although earlier the comrades were not together with the President to celebrate Labour Day, the President sends his greetings wishing all comrades a happy Labour Day,” said Dasco.

It is known that DPR RI leaders received an audience with the labour masses who held a demonstration in front of the DPR RI building as part of the May Day 2026 commemoration.

Based on Kompas.com observations, representatives of workers, community organisations, and students who are part of Gebrak were allowed to enter the parliamentary complex and directed to the Abdul Muis Room in the Nusantara Building.

The labour action in front of the DPR was held to urge the government and DPR to immediately form a new Labour Law, especially after the Constitutional Court ruling related to the Job Creation Law.

Sunarno said that the formation of a new Labour Law is important because it concerns various crucial aspects for workers, such as the wage system, severance pay, and employment relationship status.