Ministry of Manpower intensifies worker education on alleged sexual harassment

Batang (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Manpower is intensifying education for workers in connection with the alleged sexual harassment case in the workplace at the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KITB), Central Java. Director of Labour Relations and Wages at the Ministry of Manpower, Dhatun Kuswandari, in Batang on Wednesday, revealed the massive education steps now being vigorously carried out in this area as direct follow-up to field findings by the Indonesian House of Representatives. “There were several aspirations expressed by participants that at KITB or in the workplace, sexual harassment occurs, so then there was an order from Commission IX for the Ministry of Manpower to follow up with several actions,” she said. She stated that practices of harassment and discrimination are not merely moral issues but real threats to stability in the industrial environment. “Discrimination can erode a healthy work culture. Therefore, companies must proactively implement diversity to prevent discrimination, creating harmonious, dynamic, and productive industrial relations that benefit all stakeholders,” she said. “Even if there is reporting, management understands, workers also understand, this is not labour work, this is actually harassment but where should I report it. Well, there will be explanations for this,” she said. Deputy Regent of Batang, Suyono, confirmed that there are several reports coming in related to friction in the workers’ work environment. However, he noted that some cases often stem from a lack of communication ethics. “Yes, there are several but they can be resolved by the company. In addition to focusing on improving the work climate, we also want to support a good ecosystem at the Batang Integrated Industrial Estate,” he said.