Company-Worker Synergy Realises Transformative Industrial Relations

Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Yassierli stated that synergy between companies and workers is vital for realising more transformative industrial relations. “Regarding the challenges ahead, the only solution is for workers’ unions, labour unions, and management to synergise and collaborate to achieve transformative industrial relations moving forward,” said the Minister when met in Jakarta on Friday. Furthermore, Yassierli stated that one effort for this synergy is the existence of a Collective Work Agreement (PKB) between companies and workers. Not only that, Minister Yassierli also views the PKB as a joint guideline that clarifies the rights and obligations of the parties, while serving as a reference in building dialogue and certainty in employment relations. The PKB itself is an agreement made between workers/labourers or workers’ unions/labour unions and employers containing the terms of work, rights and obligations of both parties. The PKB is usually made to regulate employment relations in the company and serves as a reference for both parties. “We from the Ministry of Manpower encourage all companies to have this PKB,” said Minister Yassierli. This, he continued, is important for creating a work ecosystem that not only focuses on decent living needs but also on improving competency, productivity, and efforts to realise an inclusive work environment. “We have a big homework assignment, which is to build an inclusive ecosystem. This is number one, meaning everyone gets equal opportunities,” said Minister Yassierli. In addition, the Minister also reminded companies to uphold the protection and safety of workers. According to him, strengthening occupational safety and health (K3) ultimately returns to the most basic thing, namely workers can work safely and companies are able to protect everyone at the workplace responsibly.