JAKARTA (Joint Press Release) – The International Labour Organization (ILO), together with the Ministry of Manpower and the Government of Japan, is launching a new project today (6/7). The Project, "Enhancing COVID-19 Prevention at and through Workplaces", aims to promote job creation by enhancing COVID-19 prevention and improving safety and health for workers, which is an indispensable precondition for business re-opening, continuation and expansion. The project will be implemented by full participation of employers and workers.

The pandemic have affected around 29 million workers in Indonesia by August 2020, adding to the existing pool of about seven million jobseekers. 2.6 million workers lost their jobs and 24 million workers suffered from cuts in hours of work and wages due to the pandemic. Despite the on-going vaccination campaign that gives a hope of economic recovery, jobs recovery lags behind an economic upswing by a few years.

The spread of new variants of COVID-19 have also threatened the scenario of quick recovery. A recent surge in new infection cases implies the corona virus pandemic is far from over. Helping Indonesian businesses to strengthen their workplace safety will prevent business closures and further job loss. Employers and workers need to act jointly and swiftly.

Haiyani Rumondang, Director General of the Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Manpower, stated that ensuring the safe workplaces for business and workers have become a critical priority throughout the pandemic. “Through this collaborative project, we guide companies to give utmost priority to protect workers that, in turn, will sustain businesses. We also encourage both employer and workers to go beyond COVID-19 responses by building more resilient Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) mechanisms in all aspects of works,” she said.

Running until March 2022, the Project engages Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) and trade union confederations. The project will strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors, OSH professionals as well as representatives of enterprises and workers to effectively deal with today’s pandemic and other OSH challenges. Increased health and hygiene culture at workplaces may help sustain business operations and accelerate an economic recovery— resuming the country's march towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The new project will be reaching out to at least 1,500 workplaces in partnership with the Indonesian Medical Association for Occupational Health (IDKI). Based on risk assessment, occupational doctors of IDKI will help companies generating action plans to improve measures against the spread of the virus. “In time of crisis like this, we are ready to devote our expertise to help both workers and companies. With the right measures, we can mitigate risks of the pandemic and ensure safety of workplaces,” stated Dr. Eddy, Chairperson of IDKI.

OSH is the core element of decent work and the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. The ILO has accumulated not only global but also regional and national knowledge on OSH and has adopted more than 40 international standards and Codes of Practices on OSH. Therefore, Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, appraised the commitment shown by Indonesia to continue strengthening its OSH responses against the pandemic.

“We all share the common goal that is to safeguard both workers and businesses throughout the pandemic. The project will bring the government, workers, employers and OSH specialists to work together. I believe this project will assist Indonesia to emerge stronger and more productive after the crisis by joint efforts by the stakeholders,” Michiko said.

H.E. Kenji Kanasugi, Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, emphasized that the Government of Japan has been a long-lasting partner of the country. “Safety of workers and sustainability of businesses are key to the economic recovery and job security in the midst of pandemic. We are pleased to work with the ILO through this project to support Indonesia in strengthening its pandemic response capacity and building resilience to future crises.”

For further information please contact:

Gita Lingga
ILO Communications Officer
Email: gita@ilo.org