Indonesia hosting an exchange of experiences of seven countries on how to boost productivity and competitiveness of small medium-enterprises

Employing more than 95 per cent of the world’s working population, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the main source of employment in developing countries, including Indonesia, but many of these have been severely affected by the global economic crisis. In Indonesia, for example, more than 60 per cent of the labour force, is employed in SMEs. And, most Indonesian SMEs are vulnerable to external shocks and have been finding it difficult to sustain operations due to the global crisis.

Press release | 01 April 2011

JAKARTA (ILO News): Employing more than 95 per cent of the world’s working population, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the main source of employment in developing countries, including Indonesia, but many of these have been severely affected by the global economic crisis. In Indonesia, for example, more than 60 per cent of the labour force, is employed in SMEs. And, most Indonesian SMEs are vulnerable to external shocks and have been finding it difficult to sustain operations due to the global crisis

To help SMEs become more productive and competitive, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has launched the Sustainability through Competitive and Responsible Enterprise (SCORE) Programme in seven countries. The SCORE programme is now active, not only in Indonesia, but also in China, Colombia, Ghana, India, South Africa and Viet Nam.

To reflect what has been achieved by the SCORE programme globally, the ILO’s SCORE programme in Indonesia will host a SCORE Global Knowledge Sharing Workshop from 4-8 April in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. The workshop will bring together representatives from all SCORE programmes of the seven participating countries.

The workshop aims to provide an opportunity for the delegations to asses the present state and effectiveness of the implementation and strategy, including the monitoring and evaluation system, of the SCORE programmes globally, with a view to determining what can be done better to assist the SMEs boosting quality and productivity as well improving working conditions and strengthening management-employee cooperation. It also provides a forum for dialogue to exchange views and experiences, as well as to point the way forward for creating more competitive SMEs and sustainable economic growth.

Mr Peter van Rooij, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia, said that in many countries, including Indonesia, SMEs serve as the engine of economic growth. “SMEs are key to creating and sustaining decent work for all. This global workshop plays an important role in improving and sustaining productivity and working conditions of SMEs worldwide, particularly in developing countries, through better people management and workplace practices.”

In Indonesia, ILO’s SCORE programme was launched in July 2010 and it will run until the year of 2012. Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the SCORE programme is supported by the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration, Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo), national trade union confederations and the Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation.

For further information please contact:

Mr Januar Rustandie
National Programme Manager of SCORE
Tel.: +6221 3913112 ext. 118
Mobile: +62856 97058811
Email: januar@ilo.org

Mr Fasrul
National Programme Officer of SCORE
Tel.: +6221 3913112 ext. 162
Mobile: +62821 6052 7555
Email: fasrul@ilo.org

Ms Gita Lingga
Media Officer
Tel.: +6221 3913112 ext. 115
Mobile: +62815 884 5833
Email: gita@ilo.org