INFID backs stronger Indonesian leadership on BRICS labor agenda
“BRICS must become an alternative power demonstrating how development can go side by side with respect for workers’ rights and efforts to tackle inequalities and uphold social justice,” INFID Executive Director Siti Khoirun Ni’mah said.
In a statement cited here on Monday, Siti assessed that Indonesia wields the capacity to steer BRICS toward resolving pressing issues of global concern, especially those related to employment.
She suggested that the country amplify its stance on enforcing standards for decent work, with emphasis on appropriate wages, the elimination of gender-based violence, and the right of assembly.
The INFID leader also highlighted measures to strengthen collaboration among countries in the Global South to ensure equitable access to social security in a world increasingly fixated on fostering suitable ecosystems for investment.
Furthermore, she observed that Indonesia can make the most of its BRICS seat to promote policies supporting green industrial development oriented toward decent work and inclusive, sustainable economic transformation.
“BRICS will lose its relevance if it portrays itself as a new economic forum offering old-school development models while the international community is aspiring for cooperation that places people, workers’ rights, and social justice at the heart of economic transformation,” she stressed.
She also urged concrete initiatives to follow up on Indonesia’s participation in the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting recently held in Hyderabad, India.
Manpower Minister Yassierli shared Indonesia’s perspective at the forum, which adopted a declaration affirming a shared commitment to expanded access to social security programs, formalization of jobs, women’s empowerment, capacity development, and digital transformation.
Siti asserted that the commitment should be accompanied by efforts to address existing gaps between talent pools and job markets, urging Indonesia to invest more in green skills development.
Yassierli echoed a similar sentiment during the meeting, calling on BRICS countries to align efforts to improve human resource quality by forecasting future skills.
“Indonesia finds it important to strengthen mutual understanding regarding manpower and future skills,” he said.
The minister stressed that the approach is vital to help BRICS nations anticipate job market shifts driven by technological advances, industrial transformation, demographic changes, and the transition into the green economy.
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur, Tegar Nurfitra