President’s Presence at May Day Celebration, Proof that Government Respects Workers’ Dignity

Jakarta – As the commemoration of International Workers’ Day (May Day) which falls on May 1 every year approaches, there are concerns about the possibility of anarchic demonstrations and unconducive actions by workers.

Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Inspector General Karyoto, said all labor elements are asked to maintain the positive momentum of May Day. This is very important to prevent security disturbances and to present a good image in front of the public.

“We must maintain the momentum of May Day as best we can. Don’t let there be any security disturbances that could tarnish the image of this celebration,” he said.

President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal said that President Prabowo Subianto’s presence in the May Day celebration was a historic moment. This is a symbol of the government’s commitment to respecting the dignity of workers.

“This is the second time history has repeated itself, an Indonesian President was present directly with workers in the May Day celebration. The first to do so was President Bung Karno or Ir Soekarno on May 1, 1965,” Said emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Confederation of Indonesian Prosperous Trade Unions (KSBSI), Dedi Hardianto, requested that the 2025 May Day action be carried out peacefully and responsibly and still maintain the security and public order situation.

“Our action must be peaceful, it cannot be otherwise. We are celebrating, even though we are voicing problematic working hours, problematic wages, problematic workers’ rights, we remain peaceful,” he said.

He added that KSBSI continues to support the Prabowo Subianto government’s policies. He hopes the government will open up space for workers’ dialogue in drafting laws.

“As long as the government’s policy is good, we will support the policy. And in this period, we hope that the government will take advantage of this era of collaboration, the era of cooperation,” he concluded.

For your information, the Labor Day commemoration will be held at Monas with an estimated 200,000 workers directly involved in the action. Not only that, this commemoration is also held in several regions in Indonesia. [*]