Workers Push for Passage of New Labour Law, Threaten National Strike If Not Granted

JAKARTA — The Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers’ Unions (FSPMI) has urged the Minister of Manpower to immediately enact a new Labour Law. FSPMI President Suparno stressed that the law must be drafted as a new regulation and not tied to the Omnibus Law, which he says harmed workers’ rights. The workers say they will wait until the October 2026 deadline set by Constitutional Court decision No. 168/PUU-XXI/2023, which was read in 2024. ‘Once again, we want a new law, not a revision. The MK decision has a deadline until October 2026. If by October 2026 the government has not complied with the Constitutional Court decision, then our government is not obeying the Court,’ Suparno told reporters on Wednesday. He said if the demands are not met, workers will coordinate to mount a strike. They also plan demonstrations before or after Eid al-Fitr 2026. ‘We will ensure the government must draft a new Labour Law together with the DPR RI. If not, be ready for strikes in the regions, including a National Strike, with support from the Labour Party,’ he said. In addition to pressing for the passage of the new Labour Law, workers are demanding the permanent abolition of outsourcing recruitment and the provision of holiday allowances (THR) without tax deductions. They also voiced opposition to importing pickup trucks from India, called for the reinstatement of PBI BPJS Kesehatan participants, and urged the passage of the Domestic Workers Act (UU PRT). After a hearing lasting about an hour and a half, union representatives said Afriansyah promised to follow up on their demands. ‘In this matter, the Ministry of Manpower will coordinate with Commission IX to follow up the MK decision,’ he said from atop a command vehicle. He then urged the crowd to return home, which was welcomed by the workers.