Jakarta – Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Anindya Novyan Bakrie, expressed his appreciation for the commemoration of May Day 2026 held across various regions in Indonesia, including at Silang Monas, Jakarta, on Friday (May 1, 2026), which was attended by approximately 200,000 workers and graced directly by President Prabowo Subianto. Economic progress, he emphasized, does not stem from conflict, but from mutually reinforcing collaboration.

Kadin views May Day as an important momentum to strengthen harmonious and productive industrial relations between workers and employers. In this context, Kadin consistently uses the term “workers” instead of “laborers.” The term “laborers” is considered to carry historical connotations associated with past exploitation, which underpinned the origins of May Day itself.

In today’s modern and digital economic era—marked by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence—Kadin underscores that workers are an integral part of human resources (HR), the most crucial element in a company’s progress. Therefore, workers are not merely factors of production, but key partners of employers in creating value and driving economic growth.

“We view workers as strategic partners. A company’s progress is not possible without superior, productive, and adaptive human resources,” said Anin, as he is commonly known.

Kadin also expressed full support for the government’s measures as outlined by President Prabowo in his May Day 2026 address. Various policies, including minimum wage increases, social protection, job creation, and the strengthening of vocational training, are seen as comprehensive efforts to sustainably improve workers’ welfare.

Kadin believes that programs such as wage subsidy assistance, tax incentives, housing development for workers, and the expansion of employment social security are concrete steps that must be jointly supported by all stakeholders. At the same time, the creation of millions of jobs through investment and industrial downstreaming programs forms a critical foundation for national employment absorption.

As a strategic partner of the government, Kadin continues to encourage the business community to expand job creation in order to absorb the workforce, particularly the younger generation and those currently unemployed. Kadin is also committed to strengthening collaboration between businesses and workers through increased productivity, skills development, and technology adoption.

“The welfare of workers and business sustainability are two inseparable sides. When companies grow, workers will prosper. When workers are productive, companies become stronger,” Anin affirmed.

Kadin hopes that May Day celebrations will continue to be observed in a peaceful, constructive, and collaborative spirit. Amid ongoing global challenges, maintaining a conducive business climate is key to ensuring sustained investment growth and expanding employment opportunities.

“May Day is not only about advocating for rights, but also about building a shared future where workers and employers move forward together as key partners in the nation’s progress,” Anin concluded.