Taufik Ismail, Jakarta – Thousand of protesting workers who commemorated May Day on Monday May 1 held a theatrical action in front of the State Palace in which they placed a giant puppet inside an iron cage.

Prima Gumilang, Jakarta – The Internationale was sung at the close of a commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day in Jakarta. Thousands of workers from the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance (KASBI) sang the song which was popularised by followers of socialism in the 19th century.

Andrian Salam Wiyono – A commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day was also held in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung where journalists from various different trade unions demonstrated in front of the governor’s office on Jl. Diponegoro on May 1.

Fahrizal Syam, Makassar – Thousands of workers from various different trade unions in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar held a rally to commemorate Labour Day at the flyover on Jl. Urip Sumiharjo Makassar on Sunday May 1.

Masfiatur Rochma – Thousands of workers held a protest action at the East Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) and the governor’s office in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya on May 1.

Andrian Salam Wiyono – The commemoration of International Labour Day or May Day was marked by a protest action at the governor’s office in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on Sunday May 1 where workers unfurled a 100 metre-long red-and-white flag.

Puji Sukiswanti, Denpasar – Hundreds of workers from the United Balinese Labour Alliance (ABBB) held a rally to commemorate International Labour Day which falls on May 1.

Banda Aceh – Scores of workers from the Aceh Labour Alliance (ABA) in Indonesia’s northern most province of Aceh commemorated May Day by calling on the governor to set the provincial minimum wage (UMP) for 2017 at 2.8 million rupiah a month.

Nafiysul Qodar, Jakarta – Demonstrating workers from a number of different labour alliances held huge rallies in several parts of Jakarta on Sunday May 1. The protesters who came from various different areas held the action to commemorate International Labour Day or May Day.

Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) chairperson Said Iqbal is again talking up the issue of mass dismissals (PHK), saying most recently that the wave of layoffs has also hit the pharmaceutical industry.