Dominius Desmantri Barus, Bandar Lampung – The Lampung People's Struggle (PPRL) conveyed 18 demands to the government during the commemoration of International Labour Day (May Day) on Friday May 1.
The PPRL, along with several labour, student and civil society organisations, took turns in giving political speeches at the Adipura Monument on the Gajah traffic circle in Bandar Lampung, South Sumatra.
The protesters began arriving at 1 pm local time. In a statement, the PPRL highlighted various labour issues that they believe have worsened amid the global crisis.
The PPRL stated that workers have long faced an exploitative work system, ranging from long working hours, low wages and minimal protection. These conditions, they believe, have been further exacerbated by flexible labour policies that they believe eliminates job security.
"The momentum of May Day is not just a historical commemoration, but a point of political consolidation for the working class in facing an increasingly acute multidimensional crisis", said a representative from the PPRL in a speech
They emphasised that the current labour struggle must focus on three main issues: a living wage, decent work and a decent life.
They then presented 18 demands, including the ratification of a pro-worker Labour Law, the elimination of flexible work systems, protection for workers across sectors and the resolution of agrarian conflicts.
In addition, they demanded an end to the criminalisation of the ordinary people, guarantees of free education and healthcare and the resolution of several labour cases in Lampung.
Job Creation Law and work status highlighted
The PPRL also criticised the implementation of various labour regulations, including the Omnibus Law on Job Creation (UU Cipta Kerja), which they believe legitimises precarious work practices, such as long-term contract systems, outsourcing, and partnerships in the digital sector.
According to the PPRL, this situation leaves workers without job security and vulnerable to termination.
Aside from this, workers in the digital sector such as online motorcycle taxis and couriers are said to lack adequate protection because they are only "partners", even though in practice they are under the control of the company.
"The state must recognise platform workers as formal workers with clear normative rights", they asserted.
Occupational health and safety issues, workplace violence
In its statement, the PPRL also highlighted the weak implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (K3) standards.
They believe that K3 is still considered a formality, resulting in workplace accidents and occupational diseases often occurring without adequate treatment.
Not only that, women workers are also said to face multiple vulnerabilities, ranging from discrimination to violence and harassment in the workplace, which are worsened by their unfixed employment status.
The PPRL also touched on the democratic situation that is seen as suffering a setback, marked by the increasing criminalisation of activists and restrictions on freedom of expression.
In other sectors, agrarian conflicts and environmental damage were also highlighted. The PPRL believes that industrial expansion often sacrifices local communities and people's living spaces.
Call for people's unity
The PPRL emphasised that the workers' struggle cannot be carried out in isolation, but rather requires broad unity across all elements of society.
"History shows that workers' rights are never given freely, but are fought for through collective movements", they wrote in the statement.
The May Day 2026 commemoration concluded with a call for solidarity with workers, farmers, students, women and all elements of society to continue fighting for social justice.
As of 3.45 pm, workers were continuing to take turn giving speeches.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "18 Tuntutan Buruh di May Day 2026 Bandar Lampung, Soroti Upah hingga Status Kerja".]
