Puan Sorot PHK, Ojol, and Daycare: The State Must Not Be Late to Protect Workers

JAKARTA - The Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, considers that the May Day 2026 commemoration must be a serious pressure for the country to strengthen worker protection. He highlighted the threat of layoffs, outsourcing rules, the fate of online motorcycle drivers, to the safety of workers in daily life.

"Happy International Labor Day 2026 for all workers. May Day commemoration is an opportunity to ensure that all workers in Indonesia have their rights, including the guarantee of protection from the state," said Puan in Jakarta, Friday, May 1, 2026.

This year's May Day, workers brought 11 demands. Among them are the elimination of outsourcing, rejection of cheap wages, anticipation of layoffs due to the Iran-US-Israel war, ratification of the new Labor Law, and reduction of online taxi rates from 20 percent to 10 percent.

Puan said the demands must be read in one big picture: do not let the employment policy actually add to the uncertainty of workers' lives.

He highlighted the labor's estimate of 9,000 workers who could be affected by layoffs in the near future. According to Puan, this figure is a stern warning for the government.

"The target of creating 19 million jobs in five years will be difficult to achieve if the industrial foundation is not strengthened," said Puan.

Puan supports the formation of the PHK Task Force, but asks that its task does not stop after workers lose their jobs. The task force, said the Speaker of the DPR, must be able to read the sectors that are beginning to be depressed early, so that the state does not come too late.

Regarding outsourcing, Puan welcomed the Minister of Manpower Decree Number 7 of 2026 concerning the Transfer of Work. However, he reminded that the restrictions on the types of outsourcing work must be clear in the field so as not to give birth to new forms of employment relationships that still harm workers.

Puan also highlighted digital transportation workers. According to Puan, the income, job security, and social security for ojol drivers can no longer be seen as a marginal issue because this sector is the mainstay of the economy of many families.

"As job uncertainty increases, the social stress will be felt much faster at the family level," said Puan.

He also touched on the train accident in East Bekasi which many workers suffered when they returned home, as well as the case of child violence in the Yogyakarta daycare. These two events, said Puan, show that worker protection is not enough to be discussed only at the workplace.

Puan said the state must also ensure safe transportation and support facilities for workers' families, including childcare facilities, are truly viable.

He emphasized that the DPR would monitor the policy of workers, including after the enactment of the Domestic Workers Protection Law. According to Puan, formal, informal, PRT workers, teachers, gurem farmers, daily workers, creative workers, to ojol drivers are entitled to the same protection from the state.