Proposal for Standardised Tobacco Product Packaging Deemed in Need of Deeper Review
Thousands of workers in the Tobacco Product Industry (IHT) sector have expressed their aspirations to the Ministry of Health regarding the draft regulations for including health warnings on tobacco product packaging. These aspirations were submitted through the government’s public feedback channel as part of the drafting process for the Draft Minister of Health Regulation (RPMK), which is a derivative of Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024 concerning the Implementation of the Health Law.
The workforce hopes that the formulation of this regulation will comprehensively consider the potential impacts on this labour-intensive sector, which has long been a source of livelihood for millions of people. Waljid Budi Lestarianto, Chairman of the DIY Regional Leadership of the Federation of Tobacco, Food, and Beverage Workers’ Union of Indonesia (PD DIY FSP RTMM-SPSI), stated that thousands of workers have voiced their views through the mechanisms provided by the government. “Approximately 6,000 workers have uploaded their voices of opposition. They have been united, sharing survey links. This is for the sake of the sustainability of the workers’ fields and farms,” Waljid told reporters.
According to the workers, one of the primary concerns is the proposal for the unification or standardisation of tobacco product packaging. They believe this policy requires a comprehensive study because it has the potential to impact the industry’s continuity and employment levels. Henry Wardhana, General Chairman of the Central Executive Board of FSP RTMM-SPSI, added that the policy under discussion must also consider the aspects of monitoring the circulation of illegal cigarettes. “Currently, the circulation of illegal cigarettes in Indonesia is around 13%. If this packaging standardisation is forced through, the circulation of illegal cigarettes could reach 35%,” said Henry.
Amidst economic challenges and employment conditions that remain a concern for various parties, trade unions hope that every policy impacting labour-intensive sectors will be discussed involving all relevant stakeholders. According to Henry, the tobacco ecosystem involves millions of workers, ranging from farmers to industrial workers who depend on the sector for their livelihoods. “If forced into implementation, the massive circulation of illegal cigarettes will not only erode state revenue, but also increase the state’s burden. The burden of millions of workers losing their livelihoods, and the burden of farmers losing their lands. In total, there are 6 million people who depend on their lives on the tobacco ecosystem; can the state afford to bear the burden of these six million people?” Henry concluded.