Prabowo Declares Formation of Layoff Task Force in May Day Speech

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced the establishment of a Task Force for Labor Dismissal Mitigation and Workers’ Welfare during the commemoration of International Workers’ Day, or May Day, at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Prabowo said the task force was formalized under Presidential Decree No. 10 of 2026.

“I will defend the interests of workers who are threatened with layoffs. We will protect you,” he told a crowd of labor union members gathered at Monas.

The chairman of the Gerindra Party said the state would step in if employers were unable to continue operations.

“If there are entrepreneurs who give up, do not worry. Our country is strong. The state will take over and protect the Indonesian people,” he said.

Prabowo also said Indonesia was currently in a secure position in terms of food and energy resilience, while many other countries were facing crises. He added that the country had achieved food self-sufficiency and was moving toward energy self-sufficiency.

The pledge to form a labor dismissal task force was first made during last year’s May Day commemoration. At the 2025 event at Monas, Prabowo had announced plans to establish the body in response to workers’ concerns over layoffs.

This year’s May Day commemorations were held across two main locations in Jakarta: the Monas area and outside the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Central Jakarta.

The Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPSI) and the Labor Party held their event at Monas. Unlike traditional rallies, the gathering took the form of a celebration attended by Prabowo.

KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea said the president was expected to deliver “surprises” for workers during the event, including announcements related to ride-hailing drivers, International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and labor welfare policies.

“He will announce them directly during the May Day celebration,” Andi said in Jakarta on April 29.

He added that Prabowo would also distribute items such as T-shirts and umbrellas to workers attending the event, with the T-shirts reportedly designed by the head of the Gerindra Party.

However, several labor groups declined to attend the Monas celebration. They are part of the Labor Movement Alliance with the People, or Gebrak.

The coalition includes the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Union Alliance (KASBI), the Federation of Indonesian Labor Struggle (FPBI), the Federation of Food and Beverage Workers’ Unions (FSBMM), and other civil society organizations. They held a separate demonstration outside the DPR building on Friday, May 1, 2026, to present their demands.

KASBI Chair Sunarno said around 10,000 people were expected to join the protest in front of parliament.

“We carry the theme of May Day with the People,” he said on April 30.

He said the group’s action differed from the KSPSI-led event at Monas, which he described as state-aligned.

“In our view, the Monas celebration is shaped by mainstream narratives and power co-optation,” he said.

Andi Adam Faturahman and Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article.

Read: Prabowo Arrives at Monas for May Day with 100,000 Workers

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