Government Affirms Commitment to Fair Wages and Workers’ Rights Protection Across All Sectors
By Andrew Tony, Labor Observer
The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every worker in the country receives a fair wage and adequate protection of their rights. This statement comes amid government efforts to promote workers’ welfare while creating a fair and balanced business climate. In this context, fair wages are not merely the nominal amount workers receive each month but also encompass social security, safe working conditions, and equal opportunities for all workers across various sectors.
President Prabowo Subianto stated that the state is present to ensure workers’ welfare and justice, and that the labor system must be fair, productive, and sustainable. This statement is not merely symbolic but is reinforced by concrete policies in several areas, including the increase of the national minimum wage, regulatory revisions, and monitoring the implementation of workers’ rights.
The government’s focus on improving workers’ welfare is driven by the understanding that labor is a key pillar of national development. Prosperous workers are not only more productive but also contribute to strengthening economic competitiveness. Minister of Manpower Yassierli stated that raising wages and protecting workers’ rights is not merely a government obligation but a long-term investment in economic advancement and social stability. Workers who feel valued are more productive and innovative. This shows that the government emphasizes the importance of workers’ welfare as an integral part of national development.
To this end, the government consistently promotes adjustments to the minimum wage in line with regional economic conditions, ensuring that each region has wage standards reflecting the local cost of living. This measure is expected to reduce social inequality and promote a more equitable distribution of welfare. Said Iqbal, Chairperson of the Indonesian Workers’ Confederation (KSPI), emphasized that this step is crucial to ensure that workers not only earn a salary but also enjoy a decent standard of living.
In addition to setting fair wages, the government emphasizes the importance of protecting workers’ rights. Fundamental rights such as health insurance, workplace safety, leave entitlements, and opportunities to develop skills through professional training and education are primary concerns. The government ensures that every company, large or small, fulfills its responsibilities to workers in accordance with applicable laws. In this way, workers not only receive financial compensation but also feel respected and fully protected.
This commitment extends beyond the formal sector to the informal sector, which has often been overlooked. Informal sector workers, such as daily laborers, micro-entrepreneurs, and creative industry workers, are now receiving serious attention from the government through social protection programs and skills development initiatives. Rudolf Saut Butarbutar, Executive Director of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO), stated that protecting informal sector workers demonstrates the government’s seriousness in creating an inclusive work environment. He supports the policy, as prosperous workers also promote business sustainability.
The government continues to optimize the roles of related institutions, including the Ministry of Manpower and regional offices, to monitor and enforce corporate compliance with labor regulations. Supervision covers aspects ranging from wage payment compliance and workplace safety standards to leave entitlements and proper benefits. These measures are implemented continuously with a dialogic approach, allowing companies and workers to find mutually beneficial solutions without compromising workers’ fundamental rights.
Education and training for the workforce are also key components of the government’s strategy. With continuously improved skills, workers can compete not only in the domestic market but also prepare for global challenges. The government provides various vocational training programs, competency enhancement courses, and entrepreneurial guidance for those who wish to become self-reliant. This approach reflects the government’s view that workers’ welfare is determined not only by wages but also by opportunities to grow and contribute maximally in their work.
The government’s commitment to fair wages and workers’ rights protection also serves as a foundation for facing globalization and industrial transformation challenges. Technological developments, automation, and the digital economy require new strategies to ensure that workers remain protected and have access to dignified employment opportunities. The government proactively develops adaptive regulations to ensure that all workers can participate fairly in modern economic growth without losing their fundamental rights.
Overall, the government’s measures reflect a long-term vision to create a just and prosperous Indonesia for all workers. Fair wages and rights protection are not mere slogans but the foundation for inclusive and sustainable development. With regulatory support, consistent supervision, and active participation from all stakeholders, the government emphasizes that workers’ welfare is a non-negotiable national priority. Protected, respected, and empowered workers will become a driving force for national progress, creating a prosperous, productive, and harmonious society.
*) Labor Observer
