Commemorating International Labor Day 2025, UIN Jakarta Sociologist Highlights Education and Social Justice

UIN Jakarta, UIN Online News — Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta commemorated International Labor Day as a tribute to the contributions of workers in national development on Thursday (May 1). The commemoration served as a moment of reflection on the struggle and role of laborers in Indonesia’s socio-economic dynamics, particularly in urban areas.

According to Kompas.id, International Labor Day (May Day) is observed on May 1 in many countries as a symbol of the working-class struggle. The observance traces back to labor movements in the United States in the late 19th century that demanded an eight-hour workday. The peak of these movements occurred on May 1, 1886, in Chicago, which became known as the Haymarket Affair. In solidarity, the International Workers' Congress in Paris declared May 1 as International Labor Day in 1889.

In Indonesia, Labor Day was first observed on May 1, 1918, by labor unions in the Dutch East Indies. After being prohibited during the New Order era, the Indonesian government officially recognized May 1 as a national holiday through Presidential Decree No. 24 of 2013 to honor the contributions of workers.

Dr. Tantan Hermansah, an Urban Sociologist and Lecturer in the Islamic Community Development program at UIN Jakarta, explained that laborers are individuals who work for institutions or employers without owning capital, relying instead on their skills as part of the production system.
"Who are they? Basically, anyone who works can be categorized as a laborer. As long as one’s livelihood depends on an employing institution, they are considered laborers," he said.

He added that within the urban social structure, the majority of individuals can be classified as laborers due to their dependence on employers.
"If everyone became a capital owner, who would do the work? That’s how it should be," he added.

Dr. Tantan also highlighted the challenges faced by workers in major cities like Jakarta. He noted that the complexity of work and varied demands put laborers in a vulnerable position.
"The status of workers is indeed fragile in the context of employer-employee relations," he stated.

He emphasized that laborers experience tension, life uncertainty, and psychological pressure.
"A laborer cannot say, ‘I feel safe and at peace.’ They just can’t, and they never will," he asserted.

In terms of public policy and urban planning, Dr. Tantan noted that Indonesia's labor ecosystem is still far from ideal.
"In general, the labor environment in Indonesia is not yet ideal. It’s improving, but not ideal," he commented.

The Faculty of Da’wah and Communication Sciences lecturer stressed the importance of state protection for workers, including access to affordable healthcare and education. He also reminded that the government has an obligation to ensure workers’ rights are upheld, especially when companies go bankrupt.
"The state must ensure that when workers are laid off due to bankruptcy, at the very least, their rights as workers are still paid," he concluded.

UIN Jakarta’s observance of International Labor Day serves as a moment to reflect on workers’ contributions to development and to advocate for fairer, more worker-friendly policies.

(By Rizkiyah Gustiana N./Fauziah M./Noeni Indah S.)