Indonesia Manpower Minister Stresses Legal Certainty in Labour Disputes

JAKARTA, Sept 24 (STUPA NEWS) — Indonesia's Manpower Minister Yassierli stressed the importance of fair and clear court rulings in providing legal certainty for workers and employers involved in industrial disputes.

Speaking at a briefing for prospective ad hoc judges of the Industrial Relations Court (PHI) in Jakarta on Wednesday, Yassierli said practical experience from both workers' and employers' sides could help judges better understand employment disputes brought before the court.

"Ad hoc judges provide an important perspective in understanding industrial relations issues. Their practical experience can also help resolve technical issues that arise during proceedings," Yassierli said.

The briefing was organised by the Manpower Ministry's Directorate General of Industrial Relations Development in cooperation with the Supreme Court's Directorate General of General Courts.

Under Law No. 2 of 2004 on the Settlement of Industrial Relations Disputes, ad hoc judges sit on panels that examine and rule on industrial relations cases.

Yassierli said rulings should take into account the law, existing agreements, established practices and fairness. He also stressed the importance of judicial integrity, including resisting interference and treating all parties equally during proceedings.

"Rulings must consider the law, existing agreements, practices and fairness. Therefore, the integrity and professionalism of judges are essential to maintaining public trust in the resolution of industrial relations disputes," he said.

Yassierli also called for industrial relations to move away from a negative-sum game, in which workers' and employers' interests are viewed as conflicting, towards a positive-sum game that allows both sides to create sustainable value.

He said this would require social dialogue, fair treatment, safe working conditions, employee welfare and the involvement of trade unions in resolving workplace disputes.

"Ultimately, we want to move from minimum compliance towards harmonious and productive relations, and then create sustainable shared value," Yassierli said. (Janne Sinten)