Indonesian universities establish Business and Human Rights network to advance decent work

DEPOK, West Java, Indonesia (ILO News) - Six leading Indonesian universities, with support from the ILO, have formed a University Network on Business and Human Rights (BHR) to promote decent work and responsible business conduct (RBC) in Indonesia. The network brings together the University of Indonesia (UI), Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Atma Jaya Catholic University (Unika Atma Jaya), Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar), Paramadina University and the Indonesia Jentera School of Law. The initiative was formally announced at the UI campus in Depok, West Java on 18 February.

The participating universities underscored the urgency of addressing persistent decent work deficits, including fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, freedom of association and job security. These challenges remain significant across both domestic and global supply chains.

The university network can support government efforts to foster a conducive economic environment that strengthens business competitiveness and productivity, while ensuring decent working conditions.

Chairul Saleh, Director of Manpower Productivity at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs

The network emphasized that strengthening policy frameworks and ensuring effective implementation of RBC are essential to tackling these issues. It also highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement, involving governments, enterprises, civil society and academia.

Efforts to advance business and human rights must include respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, including the elimination of forced labour, child labour and discrimination, as well as the protection of freedom of association and occupational safety and health. These commitments are consistent with the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

© Ariel Prananda/ILO

Chairul Saleh, Director of Manpower Productivity at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, highlighted the role of academic institutions in supporting national development priorities. “The university network can support government efforts to foster a conducive economic environment that strengthens business competitiveness and productivity, while ensuring decent working conditions in line with existing RBC tools such as the Business and Human Rights Risk Assessment (PRISMA),” he said.

PRISMA is a digital self-assessment platform developed by the Ministry of Human Rights. It enables enterprises to assess their performance in areas including human rights policies and impacts, grievance mechanisms, supply chain management, labour and working conditions, trade unions, non-discrimination, privacy, the environment, land and indigenous peoples, and corporate social responsibility.

This collaboration marks a significant step in leveraging the strengths of each university to support the implementation of RBC and decent work in the country.

Hari Nugroho, lecturer and researcher and Head of LabSosio at the Sociology Department of the University of Indonesia

As centres of research, education and community engagement, universities are uniquely positioned to contribute to advancing responsible business practices. The network aims to serve as a platform for dialogue, research collaboration, policy engagement and capacity development in the field of business and human rights.

“The most important mission of the network is to promote responsible business practices and contribute to sustainable labour standards in Indonesia and beyond. This collaboration marks a significant step in leveraging the strengths of each university to support the implementation of RBC and decent work in the country,” said Hari Nugroho, lecturer and researcher and Head of LabSosio at the Sociology Department of the University of Indonesia.

We are pleased that this initiative not only strengthens and sustains national efforts to align business practices with international labour standards, but also contributes to building future leaders who understand the importance of RBC.

Tauvik Muhamad, National Coordinator of the ILO’s RISSC project in Indonesia

The ILO, through its Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains in Asia (RISSC) project in Indonesia funded by the Government of Japan, supported the establishment of the University Network by convening a series of consultative and interactive panel discussions with each participating university on responsible business conduct and decent work. These activities, initiated in December 2023, culminated in a shared consensus.

“We are pleased that this initiative not only strengthens and sustains national efforts to align business practices with international labour standards, but also contributes to building future leaders who understand the importance of RBC,” said Tauvik Muhamad, National Coordinator of the ILO’s RISSC project in Indonesia.

The declaration of the University Network forms part of a broader series of commitments facilitated by the ILO’s RISSC project in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia, employers’ and workers’ organizations, academia and other key partners. These include the adoption of a Joint Government–Business Declaration on Business and Human Rights on 12 February and the issuance of a Joint Trade Union Position Paper on 13 February.