TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has announced several programs to enhance the protection and welfare of workers as May Day approaches on May 1, 2026. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Cris Kuntadi, revealed that one of the implemented policies is the increase in the minimum wage in 2026.
First, he claimed that all workers have benefited from the minimum wage increase in 2026, considering decent living standards, economic growth, and inflation in each region.
"Also, the re-regulation of sectoral minimum wages to provide justice for workers in certain sectors who certainly have different work characteristics and risks from other sectors," said Cris during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 29, 2029, as quoted by ANTARA.
Additionally, the government increased the holiday bonus (BHR) for online drivers and couriers to a minimum of 25 percent of their average net income over the last 12 months.
The government also provides relief for manpower social security contributions by adjusting work accident (JKK) and death (JKM) insurance contributions, with a 50 percent discount for non-wage recipients (BPU) participants.
The program, which was initially intended for online drivers and couriers, according to Cris, is now being expanded to include farmers, fishermen, traders, breeders, and other worker groups. Furthermore, the benefits of the job loss assurance (JKP) program have also been increased to a cash amount equal to 60 percent of the wages for six months, accompanied by access to labor market information and job training for workers who experience layoffs.
The government also disburses wage subsidies (BSU) for 2025, covering 15 million workers, with a nominal amount of Rp600,000 per person, as well as cooperating with the Ministry of Housing to provide housing subsidies for workers, totaling more than 274,000 units.
"In determining manpower policies, the government also continues to optimize the role of the National Tripartite Cooperation Institution (LKS Tripnas), the National Tripartite Cooperation Institution, and workers' unions or labor unions to provide input, suggestions, and considerations for the government. So, we are open to all of them," exclaimed Cris.
Furthermore, Cris stated that the government, together with the House of Representatives (DPR), has also completed discussions on the Bill on the Protection of Domestic Workers at the initiative of the House of Representatives.
The policy comprehensively regulates domestic workers, including recruitment, working hours, scope of work, employment relationships, rights and obligations of domestic workers, employers, domestic worker placement companies, vocational training, licensing, prohibitions, administrative sanctions, guidance, supervision, and dispute resolution.
According to Cris, the government has also taken steps to mitigate economic pressures that could create obstacles for businesses by coordinating across ministries and institutions. "Including with the Ministry of Finance, which has formed a Debottlenecking Task Force to address obstacles faced by industry players in the country."
Next, the Ministry of Manpower also optimizes the early warning system for layoffs, strengthens bipartite and tripartite social dialogue, monitors affected sectors, and adjusts JKK contributions for labor-intensive industries to maintain business continuity and protect workers.
As for the mismatch between the education and industry sectors, Cris continued, the government is implementing a national vocational training program based on industry needs with a target of 70,000 participants this year for high school, vocational school, and Islamic senior high school graduates.
There is also a national apprenticeship program designed for 100,000 recent or soon-to-be university graduates. It is currently in its final phase and is expected to be completed by May 2026.
The government, said Cris, also conducts productivity training and general occupational health and safety (K3) expert training for 4,000 workers for free, as well as providing job opportunity expansion programs through independent labor assistance. Additionally, the government is placing special labor, including for people with disabilities, and forming worker cooperatives as business alternatives and workforce absorption.
Cris hopes these policies and programs will strengthen worker protection and job improvement.
Read: Prabowo Will 'Surprise' Workers at 2026 May Day Rally, Union Chief Says
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