Minister backs labor union collaboration to boost workforce reform

hartono · Sep 2, 2025

Manpower Minister Yassierli at the opening of a national meeting of a labor union in Karawang, West Java, on Monday (August 1, 2025). (ANTARA/HO-Kemnaker RI)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Manpower Minister Yassierli reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with labor unions to improve Indonesia’s employment landscape.

Priorities include raising productivity, aligning skills with market needs, and updating labor regulations.

“This is both a challenge and an opportunity to shape a better future for our nation,” he said in Jakarta, Tuesday.

He called for comprehensive solutions to persistent issues such as wages, foreign labor, contract work, outsourcing, leave policies, and severance pay.

Yassierli stressed that productivity must improve for Indonesia to reach its golden era by 2045, noting current levels trail behind other ASEAN nations.

“I dream of labor unions becoming champions of productivity,” he said, citing a new ministry program to train productivity coaches and experts.

He also pledged to upgrade vocational centers and revise national competency standards to meet industry demands.

The ministry’s new slogan, “A Nice Place to Grow,” reflects its aim to support employee development.

Yassierli concluded by urging stronger collaboration between government, businesses, and unions to drive meaningful reform.