Indonesia promotes integration of trade and investment policies for decent work

© ILO

© ILO

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) – The Government of Indonesia continues to strengthen the role of trade and investment as key drivers of national economic growth, while also positioning them as important instruments for creating decent, productive and sustainable jobs for the Indonesian people amid increasingly complex global dynamics.

“Indonesia maintains economic growth of around five per cent and continues to pursue a growth target of 8 per cent. We maintain strong trade agreements with partners such as Canada, the United States and countries across Asia to support global trade and supply chains that uphold human rights and promote decent work for all,” said Acting Deputy for Coordination of Industry, Employment and Tourism at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Dida Gardera, at the Seminar on Trade, Investment and Decent Work organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Jakarta on Wednesday.

We maintain strong trade agreements with partners such as Canada, the United States and countries across Asia to support global trade and supply chains that uphold human rights and promote decent work for all.

Dida Gardera, Acting Deputy for Coordination of Industry, Employment and Tourism at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs

In addition, trade and investment have driven economic progress, but their benefits are not automatically shared by all. The event explored how trade, investment and labour policies can be better integrated to support decent work, protect workers’ rights and promote more inclusive development.

“Trade and investment can be powerful drivers of progress, but their real success should also be measured by the quality of jobs they create and the opportunities they open for workers and businesses alike. This dialogue is about finding practical ways to make growth more inclusive, strengthen labour standards and ensure that no one is left behind,” stated Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

© ILO

© ILO

The seminar was a one-day tripartite event held as part of a three-day national dialogue on trade, investment and decent work in Indonesia. It brought together representatives from government, employers, workers, academia and civil society to discuss how trade and investment can not only drive economic growth, but also create better jobs and fairer working conditions.

This dialogue is about finding practical ways to make growth more inclusive, strengthen labour standards and ensure that no one is left behind.

Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste

Among those in attendance were the Expert Staff for Equity and Investment Partnership at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming (BKPM), Tirta Nugraha Mursitama; the Assistant Deputy for Productivity Enhancement and Labour Ecosystem Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Chairul Saleh; representatives from the ILO; as well as representatives from relevant ministries/agencies and associations.

This activity forms part of the ILO’s broader efforts under the framework of Trade and investment arrangements: Implementation and stakeholder engagement for promoting decent work (IMPLEMENT), supported by the Government of Flanders, Belgium and Realizing trade gains free from gender discrimination and child labour (RealGains), supported by the Government of Canada, on trade, investment and decent work.

For further information, please contact:
Dede Sudono
ILO’s Coordinator of RealGains Project in Indonesia
Email: [email protected]

Gita Lingga
ILO Senior Information and Communications Management Assistant
Email: [email protected]