Minister Assures Government's Commitment to Strengthening Worker Welfare

Manpower Minister Yassierli has assured that the government is committed to strengthening the welfare, protection, and competency of workers. Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, he stated that various labour policies are formulated based on field needs by involving workers, trade unions, the business community, and other stakeholders. According to him, collaboration is a crucial pillar in building harmonious, productive, and sustainable industrial relations. “Good industrial relations can only be realised if the government, employers, and workers continue to build dialogue and mutual trust in seeking solutions to every labour challenge,” Yassierli said. The government’s commitment to strengthening worker welfare and protection is realised through various labour policies, including the refinement of the Job Loss Insurance (JKP) programme for workers affected by termination of employment. The programme provides income support during the transition period as well as access to training to improve competency. In addition, the government is expanding worker protection through the ratification of the Domestic Worker Protection Law, the provision of a holiday bonus for app-based transport drivers, social security contribution relief for informal sector workers, and the ratification of ILO Convention No. 188 to strengthen the protection of Indonesian fishing vessel crew. Yassierli added that the government is also continuously improving the quality of human resources through vocational training programmes and the National Apprenticeship Programme. Both programmes are designed to strengthen workforce competency to align with industry needs. “We want every Indonesian worker to have the opportunity to improve their competency so they are better prepared to face changes in the world of work and have higher competitiveness,” Yassierli said. He therefore invited employers and trade unions to continue strengthening collaboration in building harmonious industrial relations. “Cooperation is the key to creating quality jobs while improving worker welfare,” he stated. Meanwhile, Special Advisor to the President on Employment and Worker Welfare, Said Iqbal, called on all trade unions to continue strengthening their organisations to face various challenges in the world of employment. “A strong workers’ organisation is a main pillar in fighting for workers’ rights while maintaining healthy industrial relations,” Said Iqbal said.