Labor Minister Outlines Agenda to Strengthen Worker Protection and Skills

STUPA NEWS ■ SOLO — Indonesian Minister of Manpower Yassierli said the government is strengthening workers' welfare, protection and skills through a series of labor policies developed in consultation with workers, labor unions, employers and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the National Congress of the Federation of Printing, Publishing and Information Media Workers (FSP PPMI) under the Confederation of All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) in Surakarta, Central Java, on Saturday, Yassierli said constructive dialogue among the government, employers and workers was essential to building harmonious and productive industrial relations.

The government has enhanced the Job Loss Insurance (JKP) program to provide temporary income support and skills training for workers who lose their jobs, Yassierli said.

He also highlighted other measures aimed at expanding worker protection, including the enactment of the Domestic Workers Protection Law, the introduction of a Religious Holiday Bonus (BHR) for app-based ride-hailing drivers, social security contribution relief for informal workers, and the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188 to strengthen protections for Indonesian fishing vessel crews.

In addition, the government is expanding vocational training and its National Apprenticeship Program to improve workforce skills and better align them with industry demand, he said.

Yassierli called on employers and labor unions to strengthen cooperation to create quality jobs while improving workers' welfare.

Separately, Presidential Special Adviser for Employment and Workers' Welfare Said Iqbal urged labor unions to strengthen their organizations to better address challenges in the labor sector and safeguard workers' rights through sound industrial relations. (Sahara)