Indonesian Labor Movements: May Day Aspirations and the Impact of AI

President Prabowo Subianto attended the 2026 International Workers’ Day, commonly known as May Day, at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Friday, May 1, 2026. The event, themed Kolaborasi Bersama Mewujudkan Kemajuan Industri dan Kesejahteraan Pekerja, saw a massive gathering of workers and ride-hailing drivers who presented a series of demands directly to the President.

Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of workers from various regions converged on the Monas area. Some estimates placed the crowd at approximately 220,000 people, while other reports suggested the number could reach as many as 400,000 when including online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers.

Key Demands and Presidential Response

The Konfederasi Serikat Pekerja Indonesia (KSPI), led by President Said Iqbal, presented 11 primary demands to President Prabowo. Central to these grievances were the urgent need for the enactment of the Employment Bill (RUU Ketenagakerjaan), the abolition of outsourcing systems, and the rejection of cheap wages.

Other critical issues raised by the labor unions included the threat of mass layoffs (PHK), the need for better protection for domestic workers, and adjustments to tariffs for ride-hailing drivers. The workers urged the government to ensure that labor laws are pro-worker and provide genuine security for the workforce in the face of economic volatility.

Responding to these demands during his speech at the Monas stage, President Prabowo instructed the Minister of Manpower to ensure the Employment Law is finalized within the year. He emphasized that the legislation must be designed to favor the workers.

Parallel Actions at the Parliament Building

While the main celebration took place at Monas, thousands of other workers held a separate demonstration in front of the People’s Representative Council (DPR RI) building on the same day. These protesters focused on five specific demands, mirroring the broader calls for legislative reform and improved wage standards.

Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI, received the protesters at the parliament complex to hear their aspirations, signaling a coordinated effort by labor groups to pressure both the executive and legislative branches simultaneously.

Security and Public Order

The Indonesian National Police (Polri), specifically the Korlantas Polri, deployed significant personnel to secure the events. Kombes Pol. Aries Syahbudin, Kabag Ops Korlantas Polri, led security briefings to manage the flow of thousands of workers traveling from regions such as West Java to the capital.

Official reports from Korlantas Polri described the atmosphere at Monas as conducive, with security forces ensuring that the delivery of aspirations remained peaceful despite the massive scale of the gathering.

Broader Context: AI and the Future of Work

The 2026 May Day commemorations occurred against a backdrop of growing concern regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. While labor unions highlighted the risk of AI-driven layoffs, representatives from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) noted that human resources remain the primary determinant of company progress, suggesting a need for a balance between technological adoption and worker welfare.