ILO hands over grievance applications to garment union federations

The ILO’s Strengthening Industrial Relations in Indonesia Project concludes with the notable handover of grievance applications to union federations, aiming to foster more robust industrial relations within the garment sector.

2 April 2025

Content also available in: Bahasa Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - The ILO officially handed over three grievance applications for Indonesian garment workers to the National Trade Union (SPN), the Garment and Textile Trade Union Federation (Garteks), and the Textile, Garment and Leather Trade Union Federation (FSP-TSK). These three federations are part of the national trade union confederations. The SPN is affiliated to the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Union (KSPI), while Garteks to the Confederation of All Trade Union (KSBSI) and FSP-TSK to the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Union (KSPSI).

The handing over ceremony, held in Jakarta this quarter, also marked the closing of the ILO’s Strengthening Industrial Relations in Indonesia (SIRI) project, which had supported the development of these applications since 2022. The ILO’s SIRI project developed an exclusive application for each federation applying and tailoring their own unique identity and specific needs named SoPaN SPN, Teman Garteks and Hallo Siola.

These applications have garnered 3,900 users, including 1,599 women and 2,301 men, who submitted 293 complaints and 551 aspirations. Additionally, 600 trade union leaders and 1,600 workers from 200 factories were equipped with necessary information and skills to promote labour rights and handle cases from members and non-members.

These applications are created to facilitate the flow of complaints and the submission of aspirations from the federations’ members and/or non-members. Using these applications, workers can easily report their complaints and/or convey their aspirations at anytime and anywhere. After being reviewed and verified, the union administrators would take necessary actions through negotiation and mediation with the management for win-win solutions.

Launched in May last year, these applications have garnered 3,900 users, including 1,599 women and 2,301 men, who submitted 293 complaints and 551 aspirations. Additionally, 600 trade union leaders and 1,600 workers from 200 factories received training and joined workshop/seminar, equipping them with necessary information and skills to provide adequate services in promoting labour rights and in handling cases and aspirations from members and non-members. Key skills covered in the training included need analysis, development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), handling sexual harassment, negotiation, women leadership, gender equality, advocacy and social media campaigns.

Commitment from the union confederations

A person standing on the stage — Said Iqbal, President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Union (KSPI).

Appreciating the support given by the ILO’s SIRI project, Said Iqbal, President of KSPI, underscored that the usage of technological advancement had provided an opportunity for trade unions to improve their services, accelerate the settlement of industrial relation’s cases at the factory level and strengthen trade unions’ defence support. “Trade unions primarily exist to uphold and respect labour and human rights, with advocacy being the lifeblood of the trade union movement,” he said.

Similarly, representatives of KSBI and KSPSI applauded the ILO support in maintaining harmonious industrial relations. “Given the nature of the garment sector, gender plays a significant role. Therefore, the application can also contribute to achieving gender equality within the industry,” said H. Hermanto Achmad, Secretary General of KSPSI-ATUC; while Dedi Hardianto, Secretary General of KSBSI expressed his hope that the application would enhance the law enforcement process and make it simpler and more accessible in the future.

The usage of technological advancement had provided an opportunity for trade unions to improve their services, accelerate the settlement of industrial relation’s cases at the factory level and strengthen trade unions’ defence support.
Said Iqbal, President of KSPI

Jess Dutton, Ambassador of Canada for Indonesia, highly appreciated the contribution and participation of the trade unions, with support from the ILO, in the promotion of the fundamental principles and rights at work that benefit both workers and employers. “Indonesia and Canada have a long, strong partnership. Thus, the government of Canada is very proud with partnership of the key federations and the ILO in promoting fundamental labour rights. This is an important milestone that makes our collaboration stronger.”

“The ILO’s SIRI project represents a small investment with a major impact, fostering sound industrial relations within the garment sector and promoting gender inclusion, particularly in advancing women’s management and leadership roles,” stated Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste. “The innovative applications have significantly enhanced evidence-based practices and transparency for trade unions, particularly in handling complaints and facilitating bipartite negotiations.”

Simrin added that, following the success of the digital grievance mechanism in enhancing workplace cooperation and addressing labour rights violations, the ILO Country Office for Indonesia plans to extend the application to other sectors, including palm oil and fishing.

The hand-over ceremony was conducted both in-person and online, with a livestream broadcasted on ILO TV Indonesia and the ILO Instagram platform, reaching 784 participants and viewers.