United action and voice of the Indonesian unions to promote decent work for all

More than 30 representatives from four major trade union confederation in Indonesia gathered in Bogor, West Java, in end of June, participating at the two-day workshop titled “Joint Trade Union Platform of Indonesian Workers Organisations for Actions on Decent Work Priorities.” The workshop was conducted by the ILO Office in Indonesia and was facilitated by the ILO Regional Specialist for Workers’ Activities, Arun Kumar.

The four major union confederations are All Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI) Reconciliation, KSPSI Jakarta Congress, Confederation of Indonesian Prosperity Labour Union (KSBSI) and Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI). Together with the Ministry of Manpower and the Indonesian Employers’ Organization (Apindo), the confederations are main tripartite constituents of the ILO.

Decent work is key to the sustainable development goal, particularly the Goal 8. In this context, SDG 8 is very much relevant to the needs of the workers and demands of the workers organizations all over the world, not just in Indonesia. It links growth, employment and decent work together as a strategy for achieving sustainable and inclusive development."

Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia

The main goal of workshop was to facilitate trade unions’ united voice and actions in promoting decent work for all in the country. The workshop was also aimed to facilitate union leaders and representatives to discuss and agree upon common priorities for promoting decent work and its joint strategies.

Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia, in her opening remarks, emphasized the critical role of trade unions in promoting decent work agenda and priorities in Indonesia. “Decent work is key to the sustainable development goal, particularly the Goal 8. In this context, SDG 8 is very much relevant to the needs of the workers and demands of the workers organizations all over the world, not just in Indonesia. It links growth, employment and decent work together as a strategy for achieving sustainable and inclusive development,” she stated.

Participating trade unionists discussed joint key priorities to promote decent work for all In addition to key labour issues such as social protection, industrial relations and employment, participants had an opportunity to learn about maternity benefit and the role of trade unions. Some cases related to maternity was further discussed and was concluded with a recommendation to advocate the coverage of maternity benefit through social security institution.

At the end of the workshop, the four major confederations has developed a joint action plan focusing on maternity benefit, industrial relations (related to freedom of association and collective bargaining) and employment, particularly on public employment services at sub-national level.

“The action plan will be further discussed and will be more elaborated through smaller meetings. The ILO will further support and facilitate these meetings as an effort to strengthen the role of trade unions and to ensure unions’ united voice and actions for greater impact to the world of work,” explained Irham Saifuddin, the ILO’s programme officer for workers’ activities who was also co-facilitated the workshop. (*)