Worker Protection Programme Announced Ahead of Labour Day
The government has announced a series of programmes to improve the protection and welfare of workers or labourers ahead of the International Labour Day (May Day) commemoration on 1 May 2026. Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower Cris Kuntadi revealed that one of the policies already implemented is the 2026 minimum wage increase.
The first, he said, is the 2026 minimum wage increase, which is claimed to be enjoyed by all workers and labourers, taking into account a decent living standard, economic growth, and inflation in each region.
“And the re-regulation of sectoral minimum wages to provide fairness for workers or labourers in certain sectors that naturally have different characteristics and work risks from other sectors,” said Cris during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, 29 April 2029, as quoted from Antara.
In addition, the government has increased the holiday bonus (BHR) for online drivers and couriers, set at a minimum of 25 percent of the average net income over the last 12 months.
The government is also providing relief on social security contribution payments through adjustments to work accident insurance (JKK) and death insurance (JKM) contributions, with a 50 percent discount on contributions for non-wage recipients (BPU).
The programme, initially aimed at online drivers and couriers, said Cris, is now expanded to include farmers, fishermen, traders, breeders, and other worker groups. Next, the benefits of the job loss insurance (JKP) programme are also increased in the form of cash amounting to 60 percent of wages for six months, accompanied by access to labour market information and job training for workers experiencing termination of employment (PHK).
The government is also distributing 2025 wage subsidy assistance (BSU) covering 15 million workers or labourers at a nominal value of Rp 600,000 per person, as well as collaborating with the Ministry of Housing to provide housing subsidies for workers and labourers exceeding 274,000 units.
“In establishing employment policies, the government also continues to optimise the role of LKS Tripnas, the National Tripartite Cooperation Institution, and trade unions or labour unions to provide input, suggestions, and considerations to the government. So we are open to all of them,” said Cris.
Furthermore, Cris stated that the government together with the DPR has completed discussions on the Domestic Worker Protection Bill on the initiative of the DPR.
The legislation comprehensively regulates domestic workers from recruitment, working hours, scope of work, employment relations, rights and obligations of domestic workers, employers, domestic worker placement companies, vocational training, licensing, prohibitions, administrative sanctions, to guidance, supervision, and dispute resolution.
The government, said Cris, has also taken mitigation steps against economic pressures that could trigger obstacles in the business world by conducting cross-ministerial or institutional coordination. “Among them, first with the Ministry of Finance which has formed the Debottlenecking Task Force to address constraints faced by industry players in the country.”
Next, the Ministry of Manpower is also optimising the early warning system for PHK, strengthening bipartite and tripartite social dialogue, monitoring affected sectors, and adjusting JKK contributions for labour-intensive industries to maintain business continuity and worker protection.
For the mismatch between the world of education and industry, continued Cris, the government is running a national vocational training programme according to industry needs with a target of 70,000 participants this year for high school, vocational high school, and madrasah aliyah graduates.
There is also a national apprenticeship programme prepared for 100,000 university graduates or fresh graduates who are currently entering the final phase and targeted to be completed in May 2026.
The government, said Cris, is also implementing free productivity training and general occupational safety and health (K3) experts for 4,000 workers, as well as providing a programme to expand employment opportunities through independent labour assistance. In addition, the government is placing special workers including those with disabilities, and forming worker cooperatives or labour cooperatives as alternative businesses and employment absorption.
Cris hopes that a number of these policies and programmes can strengthen protection and employment improvements for workers and labourers.