By: Ilham Perdana
Ahead of the planned workers’ demonstration on August 28, 2025, public discourse has once again been stirred by debates over the relevance of protests amid various government policies that have already addressed workers’ aspirations. Democracy guarantees freedom of expression, but this freedom should be exercised in an orderly, peaceful, and rational manner to avoid causing harm to both workers and the wider community. In this context, demonstrations risk losing their relevance when the demands voiced have in fact been met through concrete government programs.
The Chairman of KSPSI, Jumhur Hidayat, has affirmed that his members will not participate in the action. He believes that dialogue and negotiation are far more beneficial than taking to the streets, which risks infiltration by irresponsible parties. According to him, labor unions are currently preparing policy drafts to be submitted in official forums involving the government, parliament, and employers. This choice of dialogue demonstrates an awareness that the labor struggle will be more effective if focused on substantive discussions rather than mass mobilization that risks causing unrest.
A similar stance comes from the parliament. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stressed that the delivery of aspirations is a right guaranteed by law. However, this right must be exercised in accordance with legal regulations. He reminded that the substance of workers’ struggles will be stronger if conveyed orderly and peacefully. Demonstrations that end in anarchy can tarnish the noble goals of workers themselves and reduce public sympathy needed to strengthen their bargaining position.
On the security side, authorities have prioritized a persuasive approach. Head of Public Relations at Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Ade Ary Syam Indradi, confirmed that the police are ready to facilitate the delivery of aspirations with service-oriented security arrangements. However, he warned of the potential for certain parties to exploit the momentum to incite riots. Past experiences have shown that public facilities often become victims of anarchic actions. Therefore, public vigilance is crucial to avoid falling into provocations that could ultimately harm the workers themselves.
Beyond security aspects, the main substance to emphasize is the government’s commitment to addressing workers’ demands. Various policies have been launched, ranging from the construction of three million houses for workers, provision of Wage Subsidy Assistance (BSU), to the establishment of the National Labor Welfare Council. Other measures such as the formation of the Layoff Task Force (Satgas PHK), pushing for the ratification of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT), and providing free healthcare services underscore the state’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
These policies are not mere promises but have been realized and their benefits felt. For example, the BSU helps maintain workers’ purchasing power amid global economic pressures, while the housing program offers workers the opportunity to own decent homes at affordable prices. The presence of the Layoff Task Force also provides certainty of protection when economic fluctuations threaten job security. All these steps prove that workers’ aspirations have not been ignored but rather are integral to national policy.
From a pragmatic perspective, demonstrations could even be counterproductive. Actions ending in anarchy not only harm the general public but also weaken the workers’ own struggle. Instead of strengthening bargaining positions, anarchic actions can generate negative stigma that causes the labor welfare issue to lose broad support. In today’s information age, the public is more sympathetic to aspirations conveyed in an orderly, polite, and data-based manner than to protests associated with damage to public facilities.
On the other hand, the government has also opened wide communication channels with labor unions. The tripartite forum involving the government, employers, and workers serves as a platform for jointly formulating policies. This mechanism affirms that the state is not deaf but strives to accommodate workers’ voices through constructive dialogue. Therefore, a wiser step for labor unions is to maximize these official forums rather than holding street demonstrations.
This momentum should be used to strengthen collaboration among workers, employers, and the government. Collaboration is key to ensuring that policies produced do not only favor one party but create a fair, competitive, and sustainable labor ecosystem. Thus, workers’ welfare can improve without sacrificing economic stability or social order.
From a macro perspective, the August 28 demonstration loses its relevance because the government has already provided concrete responses to workers’ demands. Upholding democracy does not mean allowing the potential for chaos but ensuring aspirations are conveyed within a productive framework. Therefore, maintaining public order while strengthening dialogue channels is the rational choice aligned with the interests of both workers and the nation as a whole.
*) The author is a Public Policy Observer
