By Satrio Yudhi Putra )*
Ahead of the commemoration of International Workers’ Day or May Day on May 1, various elements of society remind the importance of vigilance against potential provocations in the labor movement. May Day, which should be a momentum to fight for workers’ rights and welfare, must not be misused by individuals who want to create social instability. This awareness encourages various labor unions to take preventive measures to maintain order and security, especially in strategic areas.
Chairman of the DPD of the Chemical Energy and Mining Workers Union Forum (FSP KEP) of East Kalimantan, H. Hamka Thalib, stated firmly that this year’s May Day commemoration in East Kalimantan will be carried out without mass action. This decision is the result of an agreement between the union and the provincial government after conducting intensive communication with the Governor and Deputy Governor of East Kalimantan. According to H. Hamka, mass action is vulnerable to being exploited by parties who have other agendas, which in the end will actually harm the workers themselves and create unrest in society.
As an alternative, various positive activities will be held to commemorate May Day, such as social services, blood donation, and entertainment for workers. This approach aims to change the face of the May Day commemoration to be more productive and happy, without eliminating the essence of the workers’ struggle. H. Hamka emphasized that discussions and deliberations are much more effective in conveying aspirations compared to demonstrations that often lose direction and substance. In his experience, open dialogue between workers, the government, and employers produces concrete solutions that are more beneficial for all parties.
In line with this, Hendri Budaya Saputra, Chairman of the Andalas Cement Workers Union (SPSA), also appealed for May Day to be used as a momentum to strengthen solidarity between workers through a peaceful and dignified approach. He hopes that the commemoration of May Day 2025 will be a milestone to strengthen worker unity in all sectors and emphasize the importance of protecting workers’ rights in a sustainable manner. In his view, the success of the workers’ struggle is not measured by how many people take to the streets, but by how effectively their aspirations are heard and realized.
On the other hand, Political Observer from Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Surakarta, Dr. Nurmadi Harsa Sumarta, reminded that demonstrations that end in factory closures have the potential to cause major losses, not only for business owners, but also for the workers themselves. According to Dr. Nurmadi, demonstrations that are not managed wisely can trigger a negative domino effect, ranging from economic losses, disruption of the investment climate, to the departure of investors who are looking for more stable areas or countries.
In a global economic situation that has not fully recovered, Dr. Nurmadi considered it important for workers to restrain themselves and prioritize dialogue rather than confrontation. He reminded that many national industries are still struggling to increase their competitiveness, both in terms of technology and the quality of human resources. If mass action is carried out without considering the real conditions of the company, then the risk of business closure becomes very large, which in the end will sacrifice the fate of the workers themselves.
As a solution, Dr. Nurmadi encourages a tripartite approach involving workers, employers, and the government. These three parties must sit together, understand each other’s challenges, and find the best solution. He also emphasized the importance of social responsibility from the business world, by improving working conditions and providing adequate welfare guarantees for workers. This effort is not only important to reduce the potential for social unrest, but also to strengthen the foundation of a competitive and sustainable national industry.
In addition, labor organizations and industrial associations are expected to take an active role in maintaining social stability. May Day, according to Dr. Nurmadi, should be used as a joint reflection to strengthen industrial resilience and fight for workers’ welfare in a sustainable manner. A collaborative spirit must be revived, not a confrontational spirit that ultimately destroys what has been built with great difficulty.
The public must also be given an understanding that not all calls to take to the streets on May Day are purely aimed at fighting for workers’ rights. There are certain parties who deliberately take advantage of the crowds to provoke riots or simply create political instability. Therefore, it is important for workers to remain critical and not be easily provoked by irresponsible calls.
The momentum of May Day should be an opportunity to show maturity in voicing aspirations, strengthening solidarity, and building shared optimism. Workers, employers, and the government have equally important roles in creating a fair and sustainable employment ecosystem. May Day should be a symbol of unity and progress, not division and regression.
By maintaining order, strengthening dialogue, and fostering a spirit of cooperation, May Day can truly be a day of victory for workers. On the other hand, if this momentum is allowed to become an arena for provocation and chaos, then not only workers will be harmed, but all aspects of the nation’s economic and social life. Therefore, vigilance against provocateurs must be a shared commitment, in order to maintain the noble meaning of the workers’ struggle and the future of the business world in Indonesia.
)* the author is a public policy analyst
