Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The Labor Party and several labor unions have confirmed they will not take part in the protest scheduled at the Senayan parliamentary complex, Jakarta, on Monday, August 25, 2025. Instead, they plan to hold their own nationwide demonstration on Thursday, August 28.
Labor Party President Said Iqbal said the August 28 action would be staged simultaneously in 38 provinces. In Jakarta, workers will rally in front of the House of Representatives (DPR), while in regions such as Yogyakarta, Central Java, and North Sumatra, demonstrations will take place at the respective governor's offices.
"Thousands of workers will participate in the demonstration on August 28, 2025, simultaneously in 38 provinces," Said Iqbal said in a voice message on Monday, August 25.
According to Iqbal, workers will push forward at least six major demands:
- End Outsourcing and Low Wages – Workers demand the abolition of labor outsourcing practices and reject the prevalence of low wages.
- Stop Layoffs – They call on the government to immediately form a special task force to prevent mass layoffs (PHK).
- Tax Reforms for Workers – The Labor Party demands a higher non-taxable income (PTKP) threshold of Rp7.5 million per month, as well as the elimination of taxes on severance pay, holiday bonuses (THR), old-age benefits (JHT), and an end to tax discrimination against married women.
- New Labor Law – Workers urge Parliament to draft a new labor law that does not rely on the Omnibus Law on Job Creation.
- Asset Seizure Bill – They want the Asset Seizure Bill passed, arguing it is vital for fighting corruption.
- Election Law Revision – The party also demands revisions to the General Election Law, pushing for a redesigned electoral system for 2029.
The upcoming action follows public outrage over reports of lawmakers' high incomes. DPR members receive housing allowances of Rp50 million per month, and when combined with basic salaries and other benefits, their monthly earnings are estimated to exceed Rp 100 million.
The initial call for a protest on August 25, however, came from unknown sources. Circulating widely on social media under the banner of the "Indonesian People's Revolution," the narrative urged workers, farmers, and students to take to the streets.
Their demands ranged from investigations into alleged corruption involving former President Joko Widodo's family to calls for the impeachment of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
"Let's pressure Parliament to carry out its function and duties as a check on the government," read one of the messages received by Tempo on Sunday, August 24.
Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, Chairperson of the All-Indonesian Workers' Union Confederation (KSPSI), said his organization would not join the August 25 protest.
"Because it is unclear who is responsible and what issues are being raised, I prohibit all KSPSI members across Indonesia, especially in the Jabodetabek area (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi), from participating," Jumhur said on Saturday, August 23, as quoted by Antara.
– Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2042899/labor-party-and-unions-unveil-6-key-demands-for-august-28-protes