Story of a Worker Travelling 9 Hours by Bus to Join May Day Event at Monas

Jakarta - A worker from Cilacap, Central Java, named Zuratman (60), willingly took a nine-hour bus ride to the venue of the International Labour Day or May Day commemoration at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Friday, 1 May 2026. He did so after receiving information about the free distribution of essential goods during the event. Along with a group of other workers, Zuratman departed on Thursday (30 April) evening at 19:00 WIB from Cilacap and arrived at Monas on Friday morning at 04:00 WIB. “I left last night around 7 from Cilacap by bus with friends. We arrived in Jakarta around 4 in the morning. Apparently, there’s free essential goods distribution, so I’ll join the queue later,” Zuratman told reporters in the Monas area, Central Jakarta, on Friday. He admitted that he had long wanted to experience the atmosphere of labour actions in Jakarta, and this 2026 May Day commemoration was his first time. For years working as a labourer, he had only watched May Day actions in Jakarta on television channels. “Yes, this is the first time I’ve come directly to Jakarta; usually, I just watch on TV. Suddenly, my fellow workers invited me here,” said Zuratman. Despite the fatigue from the nine-hour journey, he refused to lose his spirit. “Of course, there’s tiredness, but I’m also happy. Because this is my first experience, so I’m enthusiastic. I want to feel the Labour Day atmosphere directly and also voice aspirations,” he stated. At this May Day commemoration, he also voiced worker welfare, with simple hopes, namely that the prices of essential goods do not rise, fair wages, and more certain job guarantees. “I want workers to prosper, basic commodity prices not to rise. Basically, affordable essentials. In short, the government should pay more attention to worker welfare, fair wages, and better job security,” Zuratman revealed.