Indonesia committed to achieve decent work for sustainable development

“Indonesia is committed to realize decent work for all. Through this forum, the Government of Indonesia would obtain valuable inputs from Indonesian key labour actors on opportunities and challenges related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly its Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth,” stated the Manpower Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, M. Hanif Dhakiri, in his keynote remarks when officially opened the SDGs Conference in last February in Jakarta.

The commitment of Indonesia’s social partners to develop an important plank of the national strategy for sustainable development is very encouraging."

Gilbert Houngbo, the ILO’s Deputy Director-General for Field Operations and Partnerships

A two day Conference on Inclusive Growth through Decent Work and Social Dialogue in Indonesia concluded on 18 February with agreement on a series of technical meetings to develop an Indonesian Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward Decent Work for All. Jointly hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and the ILO, the Conference was attended by more than 200 participants representing relevant government agencies, workers’ and employers’ organizations, national and international organizations, relevant UN agencies, and mass media.

The conference was also part of the commitment and response of Indonesia to the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the world leaders in September 2015. The Agenda establishes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and associated targets, aimed to spur actions that will end poverty and build a more sustainable world over the next 15 years. The SDGs focus on achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions —economic, social and environmental —in a balanced and integrated manner.

The Conference discussed employment creation (especially youth), increasing productivity, vocational education and training, enhancing labour rights (based on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work) and promoting safe and secure working environment, sustainable wages policy and sound industrial relations practices through social dialogue, employment security and social protection. A recurring theme during the Conference sessions was concern about rising inequality.

The discussion revealed many areas of convergence and it was agreed to develop these further with the support of the ILO over the coming months with a view to preparing an agenda for Indonesia’s promotion of decent work as a key driver of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental.

“The commitment of Indonesia’s social partners to develop an important plank of the national strategy for sustainable development is very encouraging,” said Gilbert Houngbo, the ILO’s Deputy Director-General for Field Operations and Partnerships. “The ILO is pleased to offer our support to a process of social dialogue on key elements of decent work reflected in the 2030 Agenda. We will also continue to work closely with our UN partners in supporting the integrated approach to implementation of the 2030 Agenda that Indonesia is constructing.”

Meanwhile, reaffirming the United Nation’s commitment to work and support the Government of Indonesia in achieving the best outcome for 17 SDGs, Douglas exclaimed that “The UN agencies in Indonesia will work alongside government policies and programmes in an integrated and synchronized manner by bringing in our global knowledge, expertise and experiences whenever and wherever possible to achieve better results”.

The opening session of the Conference was concluded with the signing of the SGDs’ Declaration by the Indonesian Minister of Manpower, followed by all of panelists, facilitators and participants of this Conference. The Declaration highlighted the supports from all participants to the implementation of the SDGs in Indonesia, particularly the Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.