What Did Indonesian Laborers Ask for on May Day 2026?

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Thousands of workers gathered at the National Monument (Monas) on Friday, May 1, 2026, to commemorate International Labor Day. They came to hear President Prabowo Subianto's new government policies, which are being called a "gift" for laborers.

Many long-time laborers traveled from outside Jakarta to make sure their voices were heard. Kristian Adi, a laborer in the tourism sector from Depok, West Java with 20 years of experience, said his main goal was to support the removal of the PPh 21 income tax.

“I am here to support the 11 demands that have been put forward by our union representatives. Among them is the elimination of PPh 21 on Social Security Administration Agency for Employment (BPJS) and our income. That is one of the demands," Kristian conveyed.

Sunarti, who has worked in a shoe factory in Banten for 16 years, said she came to Monas specifically because the President was there. She hopes the "gift" promised by the government will be implemented quickly to help her family.

Sunarti stated, “Since today is Labor Day, we’re celebrating and voicing the concerns we’ll later convey at Monas. The President will be there too, right? Hopefully, our aspirations as laborers will be realized.”

On that day, President Prabowo Subianto addressed hundreds of thousands of laborers. In his speech, he conveyed the laborers' concerns regarding fair rules for job loss, laws that protect workers, and affordable housing near their workplaces.