Lamhot: A Competitive Industry Requires Prosperous Workers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lamhot Sinaga, emphasised that a strong industrial ecosystem must be built from prosperous workers as the backbone of the national economy.

In a statement in Jakarta on Friday, he said that the momentum of International Labour Day or May Day, commemorated every 1 May, needs to be understood as more than just an annual observance, but as a reflection to strengthen justice and balance in industrial relations.

“Without strong and prosperous workers, it is impossible to have a competitive industry,” he stated.

As a partner of the Ministry of Industry, according to him, Commission VII of the House of Representatives continues to push for the industrial sector not only to grow quantitatively, but also qualitatively in treating its workforce.

He emphasised that industrial growth must go hand in hand with improvements in worker welfare. Harmonious industrial relations, he said, can only be realised if there is a balance of interests between employers and workers.

He added that this principle aligns with the mandate of the 1945 Constitution in realising social justice for all Indonesian people, thus the industrial world has a moral and constitutional responsibility to ensure the fulfilment of workers’ rights.

“Industrial transformation must not leave workers behind. The state must be present through training, skill enhancement, and adequate protection,” he said.

He assured that Commission VII of the House of Representatives will continue to oversee industrial policies to ensure they remain supportive of the balance between economic growth and workforce welfare, while also promoting regulations that support a conducive business climate.

“Do not let high growth not be accompanied by worker welfare. That is not the development we aspire to,” he stated.