Repeated Hopes of Workers Ahead of May Day: Abolish Outsourcing!

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A total of 11 hopes form the demands of labour groups ahead of International Labour Day or May Day on 1 May 2026.

The 2026 International Labour Day commemoration will be held in the National Monument (Monas) area, Jakarta, and is expected to be attended by President Prabowo Subianto.

“There are 11 issues or 11 hopes that KSPI wants to convey, supported by the labour party, in this May Day celebration to the government, both central and regional governments throughout Indonesia,” said KSPI President and Partai Buruh, Said Iqbal, during an online press conference on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

“HOS, abolish outsourcing. TUM, reject low wages,” Said emphasised.

One of the other demands is a call to revise Law Number 13 of 2003 on Manpower. The Manpower Law itself is approximately 26 years old.

Labour groups also highlighted the impact of global conflicts that could trigger mass layoffs (PHK) in Indonesia, urging the government to anticipate such risks.

KSPI is pushing for tax reforms, including raising the non-taxable income threshold to Rp 7.5 million and abolishing taxes on holiday allowances (THR), old-age guarantees, severance pay, and pension guarantees.

“There are several crucial issues that are very important for Indonesian workers to be addressed and affirmed by Mr President Prabowo Subianto, which of course is progress or follow-up from the requests, hopes, and issues brought by KSPI,” Said stated.

In 2025, hundreds of thousands of workers commemorating May Day will demand that the Prabowo administration abolish the outsourcing system or contract workers.

Said Iqbal said that demand is one of six issues brought in the International Labour Day commemoration action today.

“The first (what workers voice) is abolish outsourcing,” Said said during a press conference in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (30/4/2025).

“Next is to protect domestic workers by enacting the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (PPRT), and to eradicate corruption by enacting the Asset Confiscation Bill,” Said added.