Deputy Manpower Minister Assures President Prabowo's Policies Favour Workers

Jakarta, VIVA – Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker), Afriansyah Noor, has reminded that policies with the potential to pressure the tobacco industry must be thoroughly evaluated. This is because the social and economic impacts generated, particularly waves of layoffs, are far more costly than simply enacting regulations.

“The cost of killing this industry is far cheaper than the cost of rehabilitating those affected. It could even be done without cost, just with one or two regulations,” Afriansyah said during the discussion “Iran-Israel War Still Uncertain, Economic Defence Tested in Total Politics,” quoted on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.

According to him, the tobacco industry is a labour-intensive sector that supports millions of workers, from farmers to those in the manufacturing sector.

“Around 6 million people depend on this sector. If it is affected, the impact could multiply because it involves their families. This must be calculated seriously,” he stated.

Afriansyah assessed that if the industry is pressured to the point of ceasing operations, the state is not yet prepared to bear the burden of large-scale workforce conversion.

“If 6 million workers must be shifted to other sectors, is the state ready? Honestly, I see that we are not ready. This is not easy work, especially since their skills are limited,” he said.

He added that the process of skill enhancement or reskilling requires significant costs and time that is not short.

Afriansyah encouraged cross-ministerial coordination, especially between the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Health, in formulating policies related to the tobacco products industry.

“We cannot view it from one side only. From the health side, it is important, but from the manpower side, it must also be considered. The impact on unemployment is real. Do not let one policy sacrifice millions of workers. There must be strong collaboration and synchronisation,” he stated.

Furthermore, Afriansyah emphasised that labour-intensive industries, including the tobacco sector, play a vital role in absorbing large numbers of workers.

“One company in a labour-intensive sector can absorb 8,000 to 15,000 workers. This cannot be taken lightly,” he said.

In the momentum of Labour Day 2026, the General Chairman of the Federation of Indonesian Tobacco Food Beverage Workers’ Union (FSP RTMM-SPSI), Hendry Wardana, urged the government to immediately take concrete steps that favour workers and labour-intensive industries so that Labour Day is not just a ceremonial moment, but produces substantive policies that favour workers.

“Do not just focus on creating new jobs, but also protect those that already exist. Protect the industry, protect the workers,” said Hendry.

Hendry noted that the tobacco industry absorbs around 2 million direct workers and 6 million indirect workers. This industry also has the advantage of being almost entirely based domestically in its production chain.

“From upstream to downstream, the tobacco industry is almost 100 percent local. This is a form of economic independence that should be maintained,” said Hendry.

Nevertheless, he assessed that various fiscal and non-fiscal policies are instead threatening the industry’s sustainability.

“If the tobacco and cigarette industry is strangled, it is the same as strangling 6 million people. This is not a small number,” he stated.

Hendry revealed strong pressure from foreign parties on Indonesia’s tobacco industry. This pressure is seen as potentially threatening the sustainability of millions of workers in that labour-intensive sector.

“The foreign pressure on Indonesia’s tobacco industry is extraordinary. This is not only from within, but the intensity is even stronger from outside,” he said.

According to Hendry, various current regulations are not entirely born from domestic needs, but are influenced by global agendas, including international tobacco control initiatives.