TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Workers around the world celebrate Labor Day or May Day every May 1, as an occasion to honor workers’ struggle to achieve their rights and welfare in the workplace.
Quoting the official website of Brawijaya University Library, the history of May Day began when a group of U.S. workers held rallies to demand shorter working hours, better wages, and safer working conditions. The protest took place on May 1, 1886 in Chicago, United States.
The protest ended in violence, resulting in the deaths of several people, leading to the imprisonment and execution of four labor activists on charges of terrorism. This event then became a catalyst for the international labor movement to commemorate the struggle of workers and fight for their rights in the workplace.
In 1889, the International Labor Congress held in Paris, France, decided to designate May 1 as International Labor Day or May Day. Since then, the observance of May Day has become an important moment for workers around the world to voice their rights, including in Indonesia.
How is May Day Commemorated in Indonesia?
The President of the International Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and the Labor Party chief, Said Iqbal, said there will be six crucial issues brought up to President Prabowo Subianto. The rally will take place at the National Monument (Monas) Square in Jakarta on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
"The issues include the abolition of outsourcing, the formation of a task force for work terminations, fair wages, and labor protection by enacting a new Labor Bill," Said said in a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Workers also demand the protection of domestic worker rights through the enactment of the Domestic Worker Protection Bill (PPRT), as well as the Asset Seizure Bill.
According to Said, there may be as many as 200,000 workers from the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Greater Jakarta) areas, as well as Purwakarta, Karawang, Serang, and Cilegon, who will attend the International Labor Day commemoration at Monas.
Furthermore, May Day rallies will also take place in at least 30 provinces across the country, joined by at least 1.2 million workers nationwide.
Gen Z Issue Also Addressed
Workers unions also address the exploitation of Generation Z (Gen Z) by companies. The President of the Association of All-Indonesian Workers’ Union (Aspirasi), Mirah Sumirat, has urged companies to stop unfair and exploitative internship practices that harm young workers.
Mirah highlighted the widespread internship culture that exploits young people under the guise of seeking knowledge and experience, but with incompatible workloads and salaries.
"Stop exploiting Gen Z and end practices that take advantage of them, economically, socially, and culturally," Mirah emphasized in her written statement on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Mirah emphasized the importance of voicing this aspiration, especially during the upcoming International Labor Day, or May Day 2025, which falls on May 1. She believes that putting an end to the exploitation of interns is part of the efforts to ensure the welfare of all workers in Indonesia.
Furthermore, Mirah expressed concerns about the high number of layoffs, with tens of thousands of workers terminated from 2020 until early 2025. "For example, layoffs in Sritex, Sanken, and Yamaha Music," said Mirah.
Mirah invited workers to unite and voice their aspirations on May Day 2025, as well as inviting civil society, students, and mass organizations to take to the streets in the fight for social justice for the working class.
"We will not remain silent when workers' rights are being taken away. Our voice is our strength, and we will continue to speak the truth for the welfare of the people and workers of Indonesia," Mirah concluded.
Editor’s Choice: Police Deploy 13,252 Joint Personnel to Safeguard Jakarta May Day Events
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
