Jakarta DPRD Member Urges Labour-Intensive Programme to Elevate Worker Standards
Jakarta DPRD member Hardiyanto Kenneth has responded positively to the Jakarta Provincial Government’s move to open 2,843 job vacancies through a labour-intensive programme, featuring wage schemes in accordance with the Jakarta Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP).
Known as Bang Kent, the legislator noted that this policy demonstrates the provincial government’s responsiveness to the employment challenges facing many residents. However, Kenneth cautioned that the labour-intensive programme should not merely be positioned as a short-term solution to reduce unemployment figures.
“I highly appreciate the Jakarta Provincial Government’s step in opening 2,843 labour-intensive jobs with wages according to the Jakarta UMP. This shows the government’s commitment to those in need of work. However, this programme must have a long-term orientation; it should not only absorb labour temporarily but also improve the quality of Jakarta’s human resources,” Kenneth stated on Sunday.
A member of Commission C of the Jakarta DPRD, he argued that the programme should be developed into a workforce development instrument capable of enhancing skills, productivity, and competitiveness. Consequently, every participant should be placed according to their competence and provided with opportunities for self-capacity building during the programme.
He suggested that the roles within the programme should be specifically designed based on the city’s development needs. Potential areas include environmental infrastructure maintenance, residential area upgrading, waste management and recycling, urban park maintenance, environmental cleaning, integrated child-friendly public space management, field administration, support for MSMEs, and jobs related to the green economy and environmental resilience.
“Labour-intensive work must provide added value. People should not just work and then finish. They must gain experience, skills, and competence that can serve as capital for securing better employment,” he added.
Kenneth also urged the Jakarta Department of Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy (Disnakertransgi) to be maximally involved, acting as a bridge between job seekers, skill training, and business needs. He stressed that participants should be well-documented, with their educational backgrounds and expertise mapped to ensure optimal programme productivity.
Furthermore, he called for the optimisation of the Regional Productivity Development Centre (P3D) to provide competency assessments and productivity measurements. He also highlighted the importance of Vocational Training Centres (BLK) in providing essential training in areas such as basic construction, welding, electricity, computer operations, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Kenneth emphasised that priority must be given to Jakarta ID card holders who are currently unemployed due to economic conditions. He also demanded that the recruitment process be conducted openly, transparently, and accountably to prevent nepotism or the influence of ‘insiders’.
“I remind you, this programme intended to help Jakarta residents must not be tarnished by a non-transparent selection process. Everything must be clearly disclosed, from requirements and registration mechanisms to the selection process and announcements. There must be no room for patronage or ‘insider’ practices,” he asserted.
He concluded by urging that the programme include a sustainable mechanism for job placement, linking participants to the business sector, MSMEs, and regional-owned enterprises (BUMD), ensuring the programme acts as a bridge to permanent and productive employment.