Indonesia Vows to Deepen ILO Cooperation as Labour Market Changes

BANGKOK, Aug 25 (STUPA NEWS) — Indonesia pledged to deepen cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to address rapid changes in the world of work and strengthen worker protection as technology, demographic shifts and global economic developments reshape labour markets.

The commitment was made by Indah Anggoro Putri, director general for industrial relations and workers' social security at Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower, in a country statement at an open session with the ILO during the Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Indah said the pace of change in labour markets required governments to adopt more adaptive employment policies while strengthening cooperation between institutions and countries.

"Indonesia welcomes broader cooperation through knowledge sharing and intensive policy dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities of the future of work," Indah said.

Indonesia's cooperation with the ILO in recent years has included programmes to strengthen human resources and public employment services.

From 2022 to 2026, the programmes included training on Public Employment Services (PES) and Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), as well as support for strategic labour initiatives in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Indonesia also highlighted the implementation of ILO Convention No. 188 on Work in Fishing, which it has ratified.

Indah said stronger implementation of the convention should include improved governance, occupational safety and health standards, labour inspections, protection of fundamental workers' rights and social security coverage for fishing vessel crews.

The fishing sector is among the areas where Indonesia sees a need to strengthen worker protection as labour markets evolve and governments respond to changing economic and technological conditions.

At the regional level, Indonesia called for ASEAN-ILO cooperation to remain flexible and responsive to the differing needs of member states.

Indonesia said such cooperation should focus on practical outcomes and help build labour markets that are competitive, resilient and inclusive while preparing workers and employers for future challenges and opportunities. (Janne Sinten)