The Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, with support from the ILO in Indonesia, launched the Risk Mapping on Industrial Relations Guideline on 13 June. The Guideline provides technical guidelines for mediators to conduct the assessment on industrial relations condition in the company aimed to ensure harmonious labour relations between employers and workers at the company level.

Indah Anggoro Putri, the Ministry of Manpower’s Director General for Industrial Relations and Social Protection, stated that harmonious industrial relations is crucial to ensure not only workers’ welfare but also business continuity, particularly during today’s pandemic era. She also hoped that the Guideline would continuously strengthen the roles and functions of mediators in preventing industrial relation disputes and solving disputes across the nation.

“To date, we only have 602 mediators throughout the country to assist more than 500 thousand companies. Thus, this Risk Mapping Guideline can be used by mediators as an early warning system, particularly for companies that have potential conflicts and can make the works of mediators more effective,” she stated.

The ILO greatly appreciate the efforts taken by the Ministry of Manpower to continuously enhance labour-management relations. “Social dialogue is key to conflict and dispute prevention and settlement. The ILO believes that the Guideline would help Indonesia accelerating its industrial growth through the development of constructive industrial relations,” stated Ippei Tsuruga, Officer-in-Charge of the ILO in Indonesia.

Heru Widianto, Director of Institution and Industrial Relations Dispute Prevention of the Ministry of Manpower, explained in his presentation during the launch that the Guideline uses an industrial relations standardized assessment covering ten indicators of assessment with a total score of 1,000. Using a survey instrument in the form of a questionnaire, the assessment covers 10 following issues: Concept of industrial relations, work relations, trade unions, bipartite cooperation system, company regulations, wages, health protection, employment protection, welfare facilities as well as dispute prevention and settlement.

“Based on the survey result, the Guideline provides three colour codes for the mediators to score the assessment. The red colour means unsafe condition with scoring between 0 and 65, yellow is less safe between 66 and 79, while the safest code is green between 80 and 100,” added Heru, adding that the green companies will receive an award certificate, while the red and yellow ones will receive further assistance with list of improvements that should be undertaken.

The launch was attended by more than 300 mediators from across Indonesia. The Guideline is developed based on the Decree of Director General for Industrial Relations and Social Protection No. 4/276/HI.04.00/III/2022. The Decree has enriched the other efforts that have been taken by the Ministry of Manpower to create and maintain a harmonious industrial relation in the country during the pandemic and beyond.