Maintaining Conduciveness, May Day Momentum Strengthens Synergy Between Workers and the Business World
By: Dirandra Falguni)*
Every May 1st, the world commemorates International Workers’ Day or May Day, as a tribute to the long struggle of workers in fighting for their rights. However, more than just a symbol of resistance or a historical commemoration, May Day is also an important momentum to reorganize the synergy between workers and the business world. Amid increasingly complex global challenges, close cooperation between workers, employers, and the government is the key to the progress of national industry and increasing shared prosperity.
On the commemoration of May Day 2025, this spirit of synergy is strongly reflected in various initiatives carried out in various regions in Indonesia. PT Surabaya Industrial Estate Rungkut (SIER), as the manager of a strategic industrial area in East Java, welcomed this commemoration with great appreciation. President Director of PT SIER, Didik Prasetiyono, said that this year’s May Day is not just a ceremony, but an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of all parties to improving workers’ welfare and creating a conducive business climate.
According to him, workers are a vital element in the industrial ecosystem. Therefore, improving the welfare of workers must continue to be pursued sustainably, along with the creation of a healthy and stable business climate.
Didik highlighted the importance of building an industrial ecosystem that is able to withstand various global pressures, such as trade wars, economic fluctuations, and geopolitical uncertainty. He likened the current situation to a “global storm” that can only be weathered if workers, employers, and governments move in one direction and spirit.
Furthermore, Didik also emphasized that creating ease of doing business is not only limited to accelerating licensing services, but also ensuring legal certainty, reducing high economic costs, and maintaining social stability. This is an important foundation for strengthening national competitiveness and attracting long-term investment which in turn will open up more jobs.
SIER also appreciates the support of the East Java Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who is considered progressive in building a harmonious investment climate and industrial relations. Strategic initiatives in the field of infrastructure and digitalization of investment services make East Java a new economic growth node, especially in supporting logistics connectivity in eastern Indonesia.
In his statement, Didik also expressed his concern about various disruptions to investment such as extortion and intimidation that have a direct impact on the sustainability of employment. Disruptions to investment not only harm companies, but also threaten the fate of workers. Therefore, protection of labor rights must be accompanied by increased performance and mastery of technology.
SIER itself is committed to encouraging increased worker competency through training programs, certification, and adoption of the latest technology. In the era of digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), adaptive, skilled, and innovative workers will be the main pillars of industrial competitiveness.
The commitment to strengthen relations between the business world and workers is also reflected in the real actions taken by PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Regional 4. In order to commemorate May Day 2025, Pelindo Regional 4 distributed basic food packages to workers in the South Sulawesi region through collaboration with the South Sulawesi Provincial Manpower and Transmigration Service (Disnakertrans).
Executive Director of Pelindo Regional 4, Abdul Azis, said that this activity is a form of the company’s concern for workers who have been the backbone of port and logistics activities. Through this assistance, his party wants to share and strengthen relations with all workers, especially in the South Sulawesi region.
The assistance provided in the form of basic necessities such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, and instant noodles, aims to slightly ease the economic burden of workers amidst challenging socio-economic conditions. This program is part of Pelindo’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL), which continuously supports community empowerment in its various operational areas.
Pelindo’s concrete steps have also received appreciation from the local government. Head of Industrial Relations and Social Security of the South Sulawesi Manpower and Transmigration Office, Raodah, stated that synergy between the business world and the government is very important in building a fair employment ecosystem. According to him, attention to workers is not only the government’s responsibility, but also the company’s social responsibility.
In Makassar, the spirit of synergy was also echoed by Mayor Munafri Arifuddin. In his meeting with representatives of the Tripartite Institution and the May Day 2025 committee, Munafri said that the city government is open to dialogue and is ready to fight for workers’ rights. He invited all parties, both workers and employers, to maintain the stability and conduciveness of the city ahead of the May Day commemoration.
He emphasized that labor problems do not only arise during commemoration, but occur throughout the year. Therefore, good communication between labor unions, employers, and the government is needed to find a just solution.
Munafri also encouraged regular meetings to be held intensively, not only around May 1. That way, labor issues can be handled more quickly and prevent potential conflicts early on.
The commemoration of May Day 2025 is a reflection that the spirit of fighting for workers’ rights has now transformed into a spirit of building healthy collaboration between workers and the business world. No longer colored by conflicts of interest, but filled with joint initiatives to strengthen each other in facing global challenges.
Worker welfare, investment sustainability, and industrial growth are not mutually exclusive goals. Instead, they are interrelated links in realizing a just, inclusive, and sustainable Indonesian economic future.
)* Contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute
