Labor Day: Tens of Thousands Rally at Monas Amid Stalled Reforms

On International Labor Day, President Prabowo Subianto addresses tens of thousands of workers gathered at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta. Prabowo announces incremental wage protections and pledges to protect Indonesian workers from global trade disruptions. However, labor rights groups including KSPI (the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions) note that structural reforms remain stalled — the 2020 Omnibus Jobs Law, which weakened severance pay and labor protections, remains in effect. Union leaders warn that the new criminal code (set to take effect in 2026) criminalizes labor strikes under certain conditions. The rally draws workers from the textile, manufacturing, and plantation sectors concerned about US tariff impacts on Indonesian export industries.