Labour Leader Responds to Said Iqbal's Entry into Palace Circle

The entry of several labour figures into the government circle has drawn various responses. Some parties fear the labour movement will lose its critical edge due to its proximity to power. However, the involvement of labour figures in government is actually seen as opening new space in fighting for workers’ interests. “In my opinion, it is a new chapter in the struggle of labour unions,” said Ilhamsyah, General Chair of the Confederation of Indonesian Labour Unions (KPBI), to CNBC Indonesia on Wednesday (10/6/2026). All this time, the labour movement has mostly been outside the government, voicing criticism of policies deemed detrimental to workers. Now, that position is beginning to change because there are labour representatives who have entered the decision-making system. “With a position on the inside today, it should be possible to influence policy for the better so that problems that shouldn’t have to occur can be corrected,” he said. Ilhamsyah also addressed the appointment of Said Iqbal as a presidential advisor. He assessed that the President needs balanced input from various parties so that the resulting policies do not only reflect the interests of the business world but also pay attention to the condition of workers. “With the position, for example, Said Iqbal entering as an advisor, that is good. The President can get information directly or in a balanced manner, both from the employer side and from the labour side,” he said. Nevertheless, he stressed that the presence of labour figures in government must still be proven through policies that side with workers. According to him, the measure of success is not the position obtained, but the real change felt by workers. “So that the policies issued will be much better than before,” said Ilhamsyah. Previously, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi explained the reason President Prabowo Subianto appointed Said Iqbal as Special Advisor for Employment and Labour Welfare. According to him, this is related to a promise made when the President attended the 2025 May Day celebration at Monas. “Approximately one year ago at May Day 2025, there was a desire for us to form a Labour Welfare Council,” said Prasetyo to reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex.