Tens of thousands of workers across Indonesia are preparing to take to the streets on Thursday, August 28, 2025, with the largest demonstrations expected in Jakarta.
The protest, led by the labor movement HOSTUM (Hapus Outsourcing, Tolak Upah Murah – End Outsourcing, Reject Cheap Wages), aims to pressure the government into adopting more pro-worker policies.
In Jakarta, around 10,000 workers from Karawang, Bekasi, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and the capital are expected to march via toll roads and main routes, gathering at 10 a.m. at key political centers including the House of Representatives and the Presidential Palace.
Nationwide, up to one million workers across 38 provinces are projected to join simultaneously, with large demonstrations concentrated in major industrial hubs such as Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, Makassar, and Batam.
“This is a strategic moment for Indonesian workers to voice their demands,” said Said Iqbal, President of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and leader of the Labor Party, as quoted by Liputan6.
The workers’ coalition is putting forward 6 main demands :
- Increase the national minimum wage by 8.5–10.5 percent in 2026, based on inflation of 3.26% and economic growth projections of 5.1–5.2%.
- End outsourcing for core jobs by revoking Government Regulation No. 35/2021.
- Establish a task force to prevent mass layoffs (PHK) in industries.
- Reform labor taxation, including raising non-taxable income (PTKP) to USD 458 per month and removing taxes on severance pay, holiday bonuses (THR), and retirement funds (JHT).
- Pass pro-worker laws, including the Labor Bill outside the omnibus format and the Asset Confiscation Bill to fight corruption.
- Revise the Election Bill to reform the 2029 election system.
Traffic Engineering and Route Adjustments
Authorities in Jakarta are preparing for major traffic disruptions as thousands of workers are set to converge on the capital. The Jakarta Police and the Jakarta Transportation Agency have outlined traffic engineering measures to manage congestion near protest sites.
In addition, Jakarta Transportation Agency has readied contingency plans for public transport, including rerouting several TransJakarta bus services. Adjustments will be made dynamically, depending on traffic density around the parliament building.
Additional traffic restrictions will be in effect under Jakarta’s regular odd-even license plate policy around central roads, including Gajah Mada street, MH Thamrin street, Medan Merdeka Barat, Jenderal Sudirman, and Salemba Raya.
Residents are urged to avoid potential bottlenecks near parliament building, the Presidential Palace, and surrounding areas from 09:00 a.m onward, when protesters are expected to arrive.
Organizers have stressed that the demonstrations will remain peaceful. Still, with estimates of 100,000 participants in Greater Jakarta and up to one million nationwide, authorities advise commuters to monitor official updates from police and transportation agencies to plan alternative routes.
The August 28 labor protest highlights growing tensions over wages, outsourcing, and job security in Indonesia’s workforce. With nationwide coordination under the HOSTUM banner, workers are determined to push for concrete government action on labor rights and economic justice.
Source: Antara, Detik, Liputan6, Tirto
Photo Credit: TribunNews
