Indonesia calls for strengthening worker competencies and protection at ALMM
Manpower Minister Yassierli brought an agenda of strengthening skills and worker protection to the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Indonesia is voicing the importance of preparing the ASEAN workforce to face the increasingly rapid changes in the world of work,” the Minister said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He assessed that technological developments, artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, and changes in industry needs are shared challenges. These conditions require strengthening skills, labour market information, employment services, and protection for workers.
This issue is in line with the follow-up discussion on the “ASEAN Declaration on Promoting Competitiveness, Resilience and Agility of Workers for the Future of Work” and its guidance document.
“Changes in the world of work cannot be faced alone. Indonesia must help determine the direction of ASEAN labour cooperation so that the ongoing transformation opens opportunities for workers, rather than leaving them behind, while at the same time still providing protection,” the Minister said.
In addition to discussing workforce readiness for the future of work, Indonesia will also raise the issue of worker protection, including migrant workers.
At the ALMM forum, Indonesia will present developments on the follow-up to a number of ASEAN commitments, including the protection and placement of migrant workers in the fisheries sector and the protection of migrant workers and their family members in crisis situations.
Furthermore, Indonesia will strengthen cooperation with various international partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
This cooperation includes support for skills development, employment services, decent work, and migrant worker protection.
“ASEAN cooperation must produce tangible benefits for workers. Not just discussing change, but ensuring workers have the opportunity to improve their skills, obtain better jobs, and remain protected in the face of change,” said Yassierli.