Indonesia
Workshop Report
Summary
Report
of National
Workshop on Youth Employment
Jakarta, 13 February 2002
In response to the recommendation of the Youth
Employment Network established by the UN Secretary General, in
collaboration with the World Bank and the ILO, a National Workshop
was held in Indonesia by the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
(MOMT) and the ILO.
The Workshop was opened by the Vice President of
the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Hamzah Haz, together with the
Manpower Minister, H.E. Jacob Nuwa Wea, and the Minister for
Cooperatives and Small Enterprises, H.E. Alimarwan Hanan. The
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Dorojatun Kuncoro
Djakti, and the Manpower Minister both presented papers at the
Workshop.
Other contributions included Mr. Ralph Willis (a
member of the High-Level Panel of the Youth Employment Network);
senior officials of the Vice President’s Office and the MOMT; Mr.
David Lamotte (Senior Specialist on Enterprise and Management
Development, ILO/SEAPAT); academics from the University of
Indonesia; and consultants engaged by the ILO to conduct a survey
and to report on youth aspirations. The attendance at the Workshop
included representatives of various government departments,
employers (including APINDO, Indonesia Business Links, and
individual companies), unions, community and youth organizations,
and schoolteachers and students.
The Workshop considered many issues relating to
youth employment in Indonesia. In 2000, the population of young
women and men aged 15-24 years was 38 million (approximately 19% of
the total population). Official unemployment figures for this group
is about 7.5 million, although it is widely accepted that these
figures significantly underestimate youth unemployment (and
underemployment) in Indonesia.
The focus of the Workshop was on the
identification of practical ways of addressing the problems. Mr.
Willis put forward a number of specific matters for consideration by
Indonesia based on the recommendations of the Youth Employment
Network. These included:
- The conduct of Workshops, seminars etc. to raise the profile
of the issues and to get policy-makers (at all levels of the
nation – national, provincial, district and village) thinking
about the issues and solutions;
- The establishment of a National Youth Employment Network to
develop policies and strategies;
- The development of a National Action Plan on Youth Employment;
- Indonesia to become one of the 10 pilot countries to pioneer
work in the region on youth employment; and
- Indonesia to support the youth employment resolution at the UN
Assembly.
The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs
stressed the need for action to create jobs for young people now,
and not just to wait for the expected return to higher economic
growth by 2005.
There was general support at the Workshop for the
matters raised by Mr. Willis, and for further initiatives to be
taken on youth employment (including reforms in education and
training; initiatives and partnerships by business; development of
entrepreneurship schemes and cooperatives; and the need for action
and support networks to be established at provincial, district and
village levels).
Follow-up Activities:
On 14 February 2002, ILO representatives (Mukda
Sunkool, David Lamotte and Alan Boulton) together with Mr. Willis,
held meetings with the Manpower Minister, the Planning Committee for
the Workshop and the Country Director of the World Bank.
The Minister expressed support for a strategy
to be developed on youth employment. Indonesia is interested
in becoming one of the 10 pilot countries, although this would
need to be considered with other Ministries and after clarification
as to the assistance to be provided to pilot countries by the ILO
and others through the Youth Employment Network. Mr. Willis
indicated this had not yet been finalized. The Special Adviser to
the Minister (who will lead the Indonesian delegation at the ILO
Regional Conference in Bangkok on 27-28 February) will further
explore. The Minister indicated that he would advise the Foreign
Minister of his support for the UN resolution.
The Planning Committee considered the next
steps to be taken in developing a National Action Plan, the report
from the Workshop, the involvement of other Ministries and youth and
community organizations, and strategies for action at provincial and
district levels. It is proposed that the Planning Committee become
the Secretariat of the National Youth Employment Network.
The Country Director of the World Bank
indicated interest in involvement in the process, including the
research which needs to be undertaken. The World Bank will be
invited to attend the Planning Committee’s next meeting.
