By M. Syahrul Fahmi, Public Policy Analyst
The Indonesian government continues to be committed to strengthening the position of workers as strategic partners in national development. Amid global economic challenges and the potential rise in layoffs, concrete measures are being taken to ensure the welfare and protection of workers.
Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Yassierli emphasized that the government will not remain passive in the face of increasingly complex labor dynamics. One of the monumental policies currently being prepared is the establishment of the National Workers’ Welfare Council (DKBN), a new body directly under the President, which will focus on improving the welfare and protection of workers comprehensively.
This strategic move represents the government’s tangible support for millions of workers in Indonesia. Through DKBN, attention to workers will no longer be limited to minimum wage issues or labor unions alone, but will extend to aspects such as workers’ children’s education, social security programs, and the economic empowerment of workers’ families. President Prabowo Subianto, known for his vision of strengthening the domestic economy, is believed to regard workers as a crucial pillar in achieving national self-reliance. DKBN is expected to serve as a forum bridging the interests of workers, employers, and the government, creating a fair balance in the labor sector.
The Minister explained that the establishment of DKBN is a proactive step in response to an industry undergoing transformation. In the era of digitalization and automation, several industrial sectors face efficiency challenges that could impact employment. The government recognizes that facing this era requires policies that are not only reactive but also adaptive and prioritize human welfare as the core of economic development. DKBN will play a role in designing long-term policies to ensure Indonesian workers remain competitive, socially protected, and able to grow amid global changes.
Synergy among all stakeholders is key to achieving these goals. Lampung Police Chief, Inspector General Helfi Assegaf, also stated that workers are not only an economic component but also a pillar of national stability. He stressed that healthy industrial relations will create a conducive atmosphere for investment and development. Therefore, law enforcement authorities play a role in maintaining harmony between workers, employers, and the government. The Lampung Police are ready to support efforts to enhance workers’ capacities, including through legal guidance and labor supervision to ensure workers’ rights are optimally protected.
Approaching labor issues is not only about economics but also social and national security. Prosperous workers are more productive, loyal to their companies, and contribute to societal stability. Local governments, together with law enforcement and related institutions, are expected to strengthen coordination in addressing labor issues constructively, prioritizing dialogue and mediation over confrontation. This approach ensures harmonious industrial relations, positively impacting regional economic growth.
Meanwhile, President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Labor Unions (KSPSI), Andi Gani Nena Wea, welcomed the government’s initiative in establishing DKBN and the Layoff Task Force (Satgas PHK). According to him, these policies are progressive and visionary steps demonstrating the government’s seriousness in providing comprehensive protection for workers in a dynamic economic environment. The DKBN structure, involving labor leaders and academics, is seen as enhancing objectivity and representation of workers’ interests. The council will not only focus on classic issues such as minimum wages but will also handle various aspects of welfare, social rights, and humane handling of layoffs.
Andi Gani emphasized that DKBN could become a turning point in the relationship between workers, employers, and the government. Labor issues have often been seasonal, surfacing only during industrial conflicts or minimum wage determinations. With DKBN, workers will have a permanent forum to voice their aspirations and participate as equal partners in national policy formulation. This indicates that the government no longer views workers merely as policy objects, but as active subjects and true partners in the development process.
The establishment of DKBN and the Layoff Task Force also carries a strategic dimension in maintaining the nation’s social resilience. Amid global crises, commodity price fluctuations, and technological changes, workers are among the most vulnerable groups. The government recognizes that safeguarding workers’ welfare is equivalent to safeguarding national economic stability. Thus, policies that position workers as partners are not only moral steps but also long-term economic strategies to ensure inclusive and equitable growth.
This policy aligns with President Prabowo’s vision of building a sovereign Indonesia independent in the real sector. By involving workers directly in policymaking, the government demonstrates a new paradigm in national development: from capital-oriented development to people-oriented development. Workers are not only seen as labor but as national assets that must be protected, enhanced in quality, and empowered to contribute maximally to the country’s progress.
*) The author is a Public Policy Analyst.