President Prabowo: Workers Are Backbone of National Economy

President Prabowo Subianto at the celebration of the 2025 International Workers’ Day at the National Monument, Central Jakarta, Thursday (05/01). (Photo by: BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto, at the celebration of the 2025 International Workers’ Day held at the National Monument, Jakarta, Thursday (05/01), expressed his respect and gratitude to all workers for their dedication in the nation’s development. He emphasized that workers are the main force that drives the national economy.

“I have a very simple economic theory: if low-income individuals earn enough, they gain purchasing power,” President Prabowo stated in his speech at the celebration.

He stated further that the Government is making ongoing efforts to improve public welfare, citing various programs aimed at supporting all Indonesian people.

“We are working hard to provide easy access to healthcare services and education for all the people, and we also provide electricity subsidies and direct cash assistance for low-income families. The total funds allocated for these initiatives perhaps have exceeded Rp500 trillion. These efforts are to ensure that none of our people is left uncared for,” he said.

President Prabowo also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring free education for all and eliminating child hunger.

“I have consulted with the Supreme Court Justices. We have a strong constitutional foundation: the earth, water, and all natural resources contained therein are under state control. The means of production that affect the livelihoods of many people must be managed by the state and utilized optimally for the prosperity of the people. That is the mandate of our constitution,” he said.

In addition, the Head of State called on labor unions and workers to have discussions and then propose candidates from the labor community to be recognized as national heroes, and the nominations should be based on consensus among workers’ representatives.

“(Someone once asked me,) ‘Sir, why are there no national heroes from the labor class?’ So I ask you now—do you have any suggestions? So, have discussions among yourselves and then propose your candidates for national heroes from the labor class. Some of you already proposed Marsinah (a labor activists) as a national hero,” the President said. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat) (GWH/TM)