Workers Rally at Parliament, Propose One-Year Limit on Contract Employment

The Grand Coalition of Indonesian Labour Unions (KBPBI) visited the House of Representatives (DPR) to propose that the revision of the Employment Law limit fixed-term employment contracts (PKWT) to just one year, after which workers must be made permanent employees.

Sunarno, Chairman of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers’ Unions (KASBI), stated that contract worker status is increasingly dominating various sectors, including outsourcing, casual daily work, and apprenticeships. He argued that PKWT must be restricted, and not all types of jobs should be allowed to use contract workers. “After one year, workers must be appointed as permanent employees,” Sunarno said at the parliament complex in Jakarta on Thursday.

He also urged for the elimination of the outsourcing system for workers, although the channelling of work for specific job types could still be permitted. “If we refer to President Prabowo’s speech, he wants to abolish outsourcing. This is the momentum for the DPR to realise it through the revision of the Employment Law,” he added.

Meanwhile, Andi Gani Nena Wea, President of the KSPSI, said the coalition’s political safari would continue. After meeting with several factions, the coalition is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the DPR to submit and discuss the substance of the proposed Employment Law revision. “Next week we will meet with the DPR leadership to continue communication and fight for workers’ aspirations to be included in the deliberation of the Employment Law,” Andi said.

DPR Commission IX member Netty Prasetiyani Heryawan stated that the labour coalition’s proposals would serve as material for the Working Committee (Panja) in formulating the Employment Law. She committed to ensuring that the regulatory drafting process involves meaningful public participation to address the needs of workers. “Of course, the input from our coalition friends will enrich how the Panja members address each issue, each theme, and each chapter that we will formulate,” Netty said.

The KBPBI’s proposals were officially submitted in a written draft prepared by the coalition, which consists of 16 confederations and 147 labour federations.