Indonesia Bolsters Workforce Protection Amid Labor Market Transformation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is strengthening workforce productivity, worker protection, and skills development as it responds to sweeping changes in the labor market driven by technological innovation, industrial transformation, and global economic shifts. The measures are intended to ensure that the country's workforce remains resilient and competitive while safeguarding workers' rights in an evolving employment landscape.

Speaking at the Productivity Improvement and Worker Protection to Support National Labor Transformation forum in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday evening, 7 July 2026, Indonesia's Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, said the government's employment policies are guided by the constitutional mandate to guarantee every citizen the right to decent work and a decent livelihood. He stressed that labor policies must continue evolving to address increasingly complex workplace challenges.

“This is a constitutional mandate. Every citizen has the right to decent work and a decent livelihood. That is the mandate we continue to uphold,” Yassierli said. He added that government policies are designed to ensure those rights remain protected despite rapid economic and technological changes.

Yassierli said globalization, digital technology, and industrial transformation have reshaped employment patterns and created new demands in the labor market. As a result, the government's challenge is no longer limited to creating jobs but also to ensuring workers possess industry-relevant skills and receive adequate protection throughout their careers.

“The challenges continue to evolve. Therefore, the policies we develop must also be able to adapt to those changes,” he said. He emphasized that policy flexibility is essential to keeping pace with technological and economic developments.

To strengthen workforce competitiveness, the Ministry of Manpower continues to prioritize competency development through various training and capacity-building programs. At the same time, the government is reinforcing worker protection from the pre-employment stage through active employment and extending support to those facing the risk of job loss.

The ministry is also improving labor market instruments and public employment services as part of efforts to build a more adaptive employment ecosystem. Yassierli said the government is committed to providing better services for both workers and job seekers while supporting sustainable labor market reforms.

He underscored that building a resilient labor ecosystem requires close cooperation among the central and regional governments, employers, labor unions, universities, and other stakeholders. “We must move forward together. Employment challenges cannot be solved by one party alone,” Yassierli said, adding that harmonious industrial relations are the foundation for higher productivity, innovation, and sustainable worker welfare.