Promoting inclusive workplaces in Indonesia
ILO team up with Ministry of Manpower and Apindo to encourage companies promoting inclusive workplaces
In conjunction with the commemoration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, the ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) is re-launching and revitalizing the Indonesia Business and Disability Network (IBDN) in Jakarta on 3 December.
JAKARTA (Press Release) – In conjunction with the commemoration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, the ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) is going to re-launch and revitalize the Indonesia Business and Disability Network (IBDN) in Jakarta on 3 December.
The re-launch of the IBDN is marked with the signing of joint commitment by the three parties, aimed to promote diversity and inclusivity at the workplace. The commitment also highlights the collaboration among government, private sector and relevant organizations to advance the rights of people with disabilities, upholds non-discrimination principles, and advocates equal opportunities and treatment.
In addition to revitalize the commitment of the founding companies of IBDN, the re-launch event provides a venue to welcome new company members that have shown their commitment to inclusive workforce and non-discriminatory workplace policies and practices. To date, there are around 50 companies and relevant organizations that have already registered to be new members of IBDN. It is hoped that revitalization of the IBDN provides greater access to formal employment to people with disabilities.
Based on data obtained from the research of the University of Indonesia on people with disabilities in 2016, out of 12.15 per cent people with disabilities in Indonesia, only 51.12 per cent participate in the labour force, much lower compared to people without disabilities at 70.40 per cent. Moreover, people with disabilities tend to work in the informal economy (65.55 per cent). People with disabilities are disadvantaged in the formal economy, which is one of the main concerns that are expected to be addressed through the expansion of IBDN.
Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director for Indonesia who also acts as the representative of the IBDN, stated that people with disabilities have tremendous potential that they can offer to help companies achieving their targets. However, each company still acts solely on their own without one common platform to share best practices that can benefit both the employer and employee.
“Therefore, this network can become a forum for sharing and learning among employers to build an inclusive, conducive and equal working environment. In addition, people with disabilities can also become more aware of the chances that are available for them to develop career in the formal economy in accordance with their capabilities, interests and talents,” she said.
IBDN has the mission to encourage business communities in Indonesia to be more inclusive and conducive to diversity, be it through exchange of information and experiences, or through sustainable and mutually beneficial programs of collaboration between companies and other relevant entities. The establishment of the IBDN is inspired by existing initiatives within companies in Indonesia and the ILO’s Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN).
Aside of its mission, the IBDN members are committed to: 1) Foster efforts aimed at preparing the business sector to be more inclusive (covering among other following areas: infrastructure, mindset & policy, accessibility, reasonable accommodation, education & training, and awareness raising through exchange of information); 2) Facilitate active roles and preparedness of people with disabilities to work (covering among other following areas: mindset, skill, communication, reasonable accommodation, education and training, and awareness raising); 3) Carry out merit-based recruitment of people with disabilities using mechanism that are equal and friendly with diversity; and 4) Encourage creative programs which can improve both company’s competitiveness and the independence of people with disabilities.
The IBDN was previously launched and established in 2016 by five founding companies: PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk., PT L’Oreal Indonesia, PT Standard Chartered Indonesia, PT TetraPak Stainless Engineering and PT Trans Retail Indonesia.
The event is concluded with an interactive talkshow regarding inclusive initiatives taken at the company level. Best practices are shared by the founding companies, represented by PT L’Oreal Indonesia, PT Bank Mandiri (Persero), as well as the new company members, represented by Burger King Indonesia and PT FWD Life. These companies shares various initiatives to provide better employment access to people with disabilities.
ILO’s Programme Officer for Inclusivity
Email: gunawan@ilo.org
Gita Lingga
ILO’s Communications Officer
Email : gita@ilo.org
The re-launch of the IBDN is marked with the signing of joint commitment by the three parties, aimed to promote diversity and inclusivity at the workplace. The commitment also highlights the collaboration among government, private sector and relevant organizations to advance the rights of people with disabilities, upholds non-discrimination principles, and advocates equal opportunities and treatment.
This network can become a forum for sharing and learning among employers to build an inclusive, conducive and equal working environment. In addition, people with disabilities can also become more aware of the chances that are available for them to develop career in the formal economy in accordance with their capabilities, interests and talents."
Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director for Indonesia who also acts as the representative of the IBDN
Based on data obtained from the research of the University of Indonesia on people with disabilities in 2016, out of 12.15 per cent people with disabilities in Indonesia, only 51.12 per cent participate in the labour force, much lower compared to people without disabilities at 70.40 per cent. Moreover, people with disabilities tend to work in the informal economy (65.55 per cent). People with disabilities are disadvantaged in the formal economy, which is one of the main concerns that are expected to be addressed through the expansion of IBDN.
Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director for Indonesia who also acts as the representative of the IBDN, stated that people with disabilities have tremendous potential that they can offer to help companies achieving their targets. However, each company still acts solely on their own without one common platform to share best practices that can benefit both the employer and employee.
“Therefore, this network can become a forum for sharing and learning among employers to build an inclusive, conducive and equal working environment. In addition, people with disabilities can also become more aware of the chances that are available for them to develop career in the formal economy in accordance with their capabilities, interests and talents,” she said.
IBDN has the mission to encourage business communities in Indonesia to be more inclusive and conducive to diversity, be it through exchange of information and experiences, or through sustainable and mutually beneficial programs of collaboration between companies and other relevant entities. The establishment of the IBDN is inspired by existing initiatives within companies in Indonesia and the ILO’s Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN).
Aside of its mission, the IBDN members are committed to: 1) Foster efforts aimed at preparing the business sector to be more inclusive (covering among other following areas: infrastructure, mindset & policy, accessibility, reasonable accommodation, education & training, and awareness raising through exchange of information); 2) Facilitate active roles and preparedness of people with disabilities to work (covering among other following areas: mindset, skill, communication, reasonable accommodation, education and training, and awareness raising); 3) Carry out merit-based recruitment of people with disabilities using mechanism that are equal and friendly with diversity; and 4) Encourage creative programs which can improve both company’s competitiveness and the independence of people with disabilities.
The IBDN was previously launched and established in 2016 by five founding companies: PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk., PT L’Oreal Indonesia, PT Standard Chartered Indonesia, PT TetraPak Stainless Engineering and PT Trans Retail Indonesia.
The event is concluded with an interactive talkshow regarding inclusive initiatives taken at the company level. Best practices are shared by the founding companies, represented by PT L’Oreal Indonesia, PT Bank Mandiri (Persero), as well as the new company members, represented by Burger King Indonesia and PT FWD Life. These companies shares various initiatives to provide better employment access to people with disabilities.
For further information, please contact:
Tendy GunawanILO’s Programme Officer for Inclusivity
Email: gunawan@ilo.org
Gita Lingga
ILO’s Communications Officer
Email : gita@ilo.org