Everything is AI-Driven, Manpower Minister Refuses to Leave Indonesian Workers Behind: No One Left Behind
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Indonesian workers must elevate themselves to become transformative in order not to be left behind and for companies to continue growing amid the pace of technology, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) that is changing the world of work.
This was stated by the Minister of Manpower (Menaker), Yassierli, when opening the 2026 National Congress of the Federation of Pharmaceutical and Health Workers’ Unions (FSP FARKES) KSPSI in Jakarta.
According to him, future industrial relations are not sufficient merely to maintain stability or dampen conflicts, but must become the foundation for collaboration between workers and companies to enhance productivity as well as welfare.
“Industrial relations must level up. Not just harmonious, but also transformative, where workers and companies become strategic partners that grow together,” said Yassierli, quoted on Friday (3/4/2026).
He assessed that this change is urgent because the structure of jobs continues to shift along with digitalisation. Even in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, technological developments demand more adaptive ways of working. Therefore, innovation must not proceed alone without protection for workers.
“When the world talks about IT, automation, and AI, we must ensure that no worker is left behind. No one left behind. Innovation and productivity must go hand in hand with worker protection,” he said.
Yassierli explained that mature industrial relations do not arise instantly. The initial stage begins with compliance with labour regulations, then develops through open communication, consultation in policy-making, cooperation in resolving issues, and ultimately achieves collaboration and strategic partnerships.
At that highest stage, workers are no longer viewed merely as a factor of production, but as a strategic asset of the company. With that perspective, industrial relations are not only useful for preventing disputes, but also become a path to strengthen business competitiveness and maintain the sustainability of workers’ welfare.
“My dream is for all companies’ industrial relations maturity to level up. Those that previously had no workers’ unions/collective bargaining agreements now have them. Those without Collective Work Agreements (PKB) now have them. Those that already have PKB but the clauses are still dry now have win-win solutions. Level up again, starting to collaborate, companies and workers become joint partners, they also care about the surrounding environment,” he explained.
According to Yassierli, improving workers’ welfare cannot be separated from productivity. Healthy industrial relations must be built with a spirit of mutual trust, mutual listening, and mutual problem-solving, not merely pitting workers’ interests against those of the company.
He also encouraged workers’ aspirations to be conveyed constructively through social dialogue that prioritises mutual cooperation, familial bonds, and consensus deliberation. With that approach, industrial relations issues are hoped not to drag on, but can be resolved together in a fair and sustainable manner.
“We have the strength of our culture of mutual cooperation and deliberation. With that spirit, industrial relations problems can be resolved together,” said Yassierli.
Through this national congress momentum, Yassierli hopes that workers’ unions continue to fight for fair and decent work, while also helping to drive innovation, productivity, and more adaptive and efficient modern ways of working. According to him, transformative industrial relations become one of the keys to making Indonesia’s world of work more ready to face changes towards an Advanced Indonesia and Golden Indonesia.