UI Student Body to Stage Labour Day 2026 Protest at Parliament

The University of Indonesia Student Executive Body (BEM UI) has stated that it will take to the streets to commemorate International Labour Day 2026 on Friday, 1 May. This was announced through a call-to-action flyer posted on the official Instagram account @bemui_official. “Call to action for Labour Day #MeiMelawan. Protest point at the House of Representatives,” reads the caption on the poster uploaded by the organisation’s official account. BEM UI states that 1 May is not just an ordinary date on the calendar. That day must be understood as a symbol of the long struggle of the working class against injustice. “International Labour Day serves as a reminder that workers’ welfare is a right,” said BEM UI. BEM UI asserts that workers must not be silenced by anyone in voicing their aspirations. Especially since the condition of workers in Indonesia is under pressure due to high living costs, job uncertainty, and government policies that are increasingly deviating from the interests of the people. “As part of the people, students have a responsibility to stand together and voice change. Let us unite our steps, safeguard workers’ rights, and fight for social justice,” stated BEM UI. In other areas, the Padjadjaran University Family of Student Bodies (BEM Kema Unpad) has stated that it will hold a demonstration to commemorate May Day this year on Friday, 1 May 2026. BEM Kema Unpad, together with the Jatinangor Bergerak Alliance, will show solidarity and demonstrate regarding labour conditions and the fulfilment of workers’ rights at the Damri Terminal in Jatinangor, West Java. Meanwhile, the commemoration of May Day 2026 at the House of Representatives will also be held by several labour union organisations united under the Gebrak alliance (Gerakan Buruh Bersama Rakyat). They reject joining the All-Indonesian Confederation of Workers’ Unions (KSPSI), which is organising an action at the National Monument with President Prabowo Subianto. Chairman of the Indonesian Trade Union Alliance Congress Confederation (KASBI), Sunarno, said there will 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 said that the action organised by his group is different from the one held by KSPSI at Monas. He stated that the Labour Day commemoration in front of the House of Representatives building is an independent and autonomous action. “The May Day celebration organised at Monas, in our view, is filled with mainstream narratives and co-optation by those in power,” he said. The Gebrak alliance is bringing several demands to the May Day action in front of the House of Representatives building. First, urging the state to immediately realise pro-worker Labour Law. They request that the discussion on forming this legislation involves labour unions. The second demand is to reform the wage system and eliminate wage disparities. The alliance requests that workers receive fair and dignified national minimum wages. Other demand points include ensuring job certainty, abolishing the outsourcing system and contract work, ratifying ILO Convention 188 and ILO Convention 190, demanding the state provide welfare to educators and health workers, stopping mass layoffs, realising free education and healthcare, and upholding civil supremacy. The alliance also demands that the government carry out genuine agrarian reform by stopping the eviction of people’s land, and actively engage on the global stage for world peace.