Background

Globally, the world of work is undergoing a major transformation. There are several forces affecting it, from the impact of demographic change, the onward march of technology, impact of global warming, labour migration, and to the evolving character of production processes. All of these have implications for employment.

The Future of Work initiative was launched by the Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) at the Conference in 2013, and it will culminate at the centennial Conference in 2019. At the country level, the Government of Indonesia (GoI) has committed to actively lead the implementation of this initiative. As part of this process, the GoI in partnership with ILO is organizing a series of national dialogues to help shape the thinking and policy responses.

Specifically, the national dialogues in the country are organized as a series of discussions among government officials, employers’ and workers’ organizations, academicians, and other relevant and interested actors. The first national dialogue which took place in November 2016 focused on green economy as one of the key drivers of the labour market in future. It provided an opportunity for national stakeholders to look at a broader picture and discuss possible implications of transformational change, particularly in recognition of climate change and its potential impact on the economy, businesses, and workers.

The second National Dialogue will focus on technology as a key driver of change that is shaping economic production and jobs. The dialogue will leverage the results of an ongoing ILO research on the impact of technological improvements including digitization on the economy and job creation in Indonesia. The national dialogue will also complement another conference organized by the Ministry of Manpower in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Culture and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Indonesia Office This conference provided a platform to exchange good practices in industrial relations in the age of a rising digital economy.

The National Dialogue will held on April 17, 2017. It will be structured into four sessions touching upon key dimensions of the Future of Work initiative. The first session will provide the context to explore the various technological forces shaping the economy, and employment in Indonesia. Building on the previous session, the second session will look into the economic outlook of Indonesia and challenges it faces to continue on a high growth path while ensuring decent jobs for all.

A key part of the third session is to examine the state of human capital in the country. To maintain competitiveness, businesses are constantly seeking to deploy the best available skills. The discussion will delve into the type of future skills and attributes needed and how Indonesia can prepare itself to meet the demands of the global market by learning from other experiences from other countries.

The final session of this National Dialogue will be a platform for companies in the digital sectors to share their experiences doing business in Indonesia. We will have an opportunity to hear from both representatives from multinational companies and local start-ups.

Objective

The Future of Work Initiative is a key vehicle to respond to some of the most pressing public policy issues of our time and to shape a future that works for all. It aims to identify and interpret key transitions and issues in relation to the role of work in society, the creation of decent jobs for all, emerging ways of organizing work and production, and the governance of work; to compile and analyse existing knowledge and insights about the future of work through an unprecedented broad process of national dialogues and tripartite consultations at the national, regional and global levels; and to provide guidance and recommendations for the tripartite constituents on how to advance successfully the cause of social justice as ILO enters its second century of work.

The national dialogues on Future of Work organized worldwide are key to the success of the Initiative. The concerns, ideas and aspirations that emerge from these tripartite national dialogues will help root the Initiative in the realities of the different regions and countries. The outcomes of the national dialogues will also ensure that the recommendations and guidance prepared under the initiative will correspond to and address the real issues and challenges faced by the tripartite constituents in all the regions.

Particularly, the series of national dialogues organized aim at having the widest engagement in, and contributions to, the reflection on the future of work, focusing key drivers of change affecting jobs and labour market in Indonesia.

The specific objectives of the second National Dialogue are:

• To further raise awareness on the “Future of Work” initiative.
• To generate a shared understanding of the forces transforming the world of work in Indonesia.
• To provide a constructive forum for exchanging ideas to respond effectively to these changes.