Deputy Manpower Minister Urges Workers to Prioritise Mediation, Can Report to Police Labour Desk

Wakil Menteri Ketenagakerjaan (Wamenaker) Afriansyah Noor has urged workers and trade unions to prioritise mediation in resolving disputes with employers. He noted that the government has provided the Police Labour Desk as a platform for finding solutions.

This was conveyed by Afriansyah after completing mediation between PT Amos Indah Indonesia and 134 workers affected by layoffs. The mediation resulted in an agreement to provide severance pay amounting to Rp 12.7 billion.

“And I also hope that all trade unions will only hold demonstrations if there is a deadlock. If there is no deadlock yet, mediation must be carried out bipartitely, tripartitely, and of course you can also report to us, and also report to our colleagues in the Police,” Afriansyah said at the Bareskrim Polri Building in South Jakarta on Thursday (23/7/2026).

He explained that the collaboration between the Ministry of Manpower and the Police Labour Desk is very crucial. He appreciated the Police’s efforts in helping to oversee the negotiation process.

“We admit that our ministry’s supervision is not yet optimal. So we are partnering with the Labour Desk, led by Brigadier General Irhamni, to work together to help our friends who have been wronged,” he said.

Head of the Bareskrim Polri Labour Desk, Brigadier General Muhammad Irhamni, stated that his team is ready to safeguard workers’ rights. He said the government wants a safe and comfortable investment climate for employers while also ensuring the welfare of workers. According to Irhamni, resolution through mediation is far more effective.

“With the existence of the Police Labour Desk from the National Police Headquarters down to the regional and district levels, the hope is that it can reduce, or at least address, any industrial relations issues that can be reported to us,” Irhamni said.