Deputy Manpower Minister: Trade unions must be involved in refining regulations
Jakarta - Deputy Manpower Minister Afriansyah Noor has stated that the involvement of trade unions is crucial in efforts to refine labour regulations. The participation of various parties is considered important so that the policies formulated can meet the needs of workers while supporting business sustainability.
“Good regulations must be born from constructive dialogue and be able to answer the needs of both workers and the business world,” Afriansyah said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday. He further conveyed that the government is opening space for dialogue and participation for workers’ organisations to provide input on various regulations currently being refined. “The government is opening the widest possible space for trade unions, confederations, and all stakeholders to provide input,” he said.
In addition to discussing regulatory refinement, Afriansyah also highlighted the importance of strengthening labour inspection. Effective inspection is needed to ensure that existing provisions are implemented consistently, while providing protection for workers and legal certainty for business actors. He also assessed that the structuring of trade union and confederation organisations through a more accurate verification mechanism needs to be carried out. This step is considered important so that workers’ representation in various social dialogue forums is based on valid and accountable membership data.
“The validity of organisational data is important so that every negotiation and decision-making process truly reflects the aspirations of the members being represented,” said the Deputy Minister. On another note, Afriansyah touched on the outsourcing system still used in several sectors. He said the government continues to update regulations to strengthen worker protection, including the fulfilment of rights to wages and social security.
“We must ensure that business needs can continue to operate, but at the same time, workers’ rights are maximally protected. This balance is what we continuously strive for in every policy refinement,” he said. Furthermore, Afriansyah invited all parties to prioritise dialogue in resolving various industrial relations issues. Good communication between workers, employers, and the government is key to maintaining a conducive labour climate amidst economic challenges.
He added that the government will continue to open space for participation in the labour policy-making process. Strong synergy among all stakeholders is expected to strengthen efforts to realise harmonious, productive, and equitable industrial relations. “We want every labour policy produced to truly benefit workers, the business world, and the national economy,” Afriansyah concluded.