Ichsan Ali, Herman, Teguh Adi Prasetyo, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto extended their greetings to workers on International Workers' Day or May Day.
Jokowi expressed his wishes on his X account, accompanied by an illustration of workers, saying, "Every worker is a daily hero who keeps the economy moving. Let us continue the fighting spirit of the workers to achieve justice and prosperity together. Happy International Workers' Day," wrote Jokowi quoted from his X account @jokowi, uploaded on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, President-elect Prabowo Subianto wished all workers, including laborers, increasing prosperity and unity. "May all workers in Indonesia and the large labor family become more prosperous, more advanced, and more united to together strive for a golden Indonesia," said Prabowo in his official statement.
In commemorating May Day, thousands of workers in various cities in Indonesia held rallies to voice their aspirations. In Jakarta, workers' actions also included support for Palestinian independence.
Thousands of workers gathered on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jakarta, voicing several demands to commemorate May Day. The rally, attended by dozens of labor unions, demanded several workers' rights, including those of women workers, industrial worker welfare, and subsidies for farmers and fishermen.
Based on observations from Beritasatu.com, wearing shirts representing their respective unions, thousands of workers carried attributes such as flags, banners, and posters containing demands. Coordinated by the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), hundreds of workers gathered at the Horse Statue, Jakarta, to march to Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI).
KSPI claimed 50,000 workers were participating in this year's May Day rally. Participants were scheduled to march together from the Horse Statue to Bundaran HI at 09.30 a.m. Jakarta time, then return to the Horse Statue in the afternoon. Afterward, the participants would move to Senayan Madya Stadium at 01.00 p.m. to voice several demands.
The All-Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) demanded that workers receive wages according to the regional minimum wage (UMR) and welfare benefits such as health insurance or other benefits.
"First, the wage or UMR must be appropriate, with annual increases. Second, the welfare we want, such as health benefits and others," said Hendrik, a worker at a company in Cikarang, who is a member of SPSI, in Jakarta on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the Indonesian Women's Alliance voiced several rights for women workers. One of the participants, Triombung Sitorus from Marsinah.id, mentioned that women workers often face discrimination in the workplace, such as unequal career opportunities compared to male workers. She also highlighted the rights of women that have not yet been fully met, such as maternity leave.
"I support the Mother and Child Welfare Law on how maternity leave is needed by working women, in addition to suitable facilities in the workplace," said Triombung.
Demands were also made by farmer and fisherman unions affiliated with the Militant Labor Union Federation. The welfare of farmers and fishermen became a primary issue. One of the issues raised was related to fertilizer subsidies for farmers that were not accurately targeted.
"Subsidies for farmers and fishermen. Fertilizer subsidies already exist, but often miss the target. They do not cover production costs. The amount of fertilizer is insufficient, and the distribution is uneven," said the action coordinator of the Militant Labor Union Federation, Ilham.