Noel Criticises Ministry of Labour in Plea: Labour Issues Remain Unresolved

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Deputy Minister of Labour Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan criticised the Ministry of Labour’s bureaucracy while delivering his plea in a corruption trial over occupational safety and health (K3) certification at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, 25 May 2026.

Noel, as he is commonly known, said the Ministry of Labour’s bureaucracy is so lengthy that it never resolves the issues faced by workers.

“Because the Ministry of Labour has never fully addressed labour issues due to lengthy bureaucratic processes,” Noel said on Monday.

Noel also highlighted the slow response of labour supervision in addressing worker complaints.

“On the other hand, workers need to find jobs and earn money,” Noel said.

“They cannot afford the time to seek justice,” he added.

Noel also recounted that he could not personally handle all labour issues across various regions.

“They know there is a door to knock on, a space to speak, and a state willing to listen,” Noel said.

Noel also admitted he still receives numerous worker complaints via his personal social media despite being under legal proceedings.

“They write about withheld diplomas, unpaid wages, unclaimed severance pay, unfair dismissals, and other labour issues,” he added.

According to Noel, his legal proceedings have left some workers without a place to lodge complaints.

“When I attend court hearings, many small workers lose one of the doors they believed would hear their voices,” he said.