By: Cahyo Widjaya*
The Indonesian government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka continues to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to fighting for the welfare of workers throughout the country.
Through various real programs that focus on protecting workers’ rights, the state provides real evidence that workers are not only an important part of national development, but also a foundation whose dignity and welfare must continue to be maintained.
Therefore, the government emphasized how it will take firm steps to continue improving the standard of living of workers, not just in rhetoric alone, but realized through various concrete policies that prioritize siding with workers.
President Prabowo Subianto has shown his consistent stance in fighting for workers’ rights through various progressive policies. In his speech to thousands of workers in Jakarta, President Prabowo emphasized the importance of increasing the minimum wage and strengthening workers’ social security.
The Head of State assessed that in reality workers have a very important role, namely as the backbone of the country, who must receive proper protection and welfare.
This commitment was realized in the announcement of an increase in the average national minimum wage (UMN) of 6.5 percent for 2025, a decision taken after in-depth discussions with Minister of Manpower Yassierli and trade union leaders.
President Prabowo also criticized the contract work system, which is considered detrimental to workers because it eliminates long-term certainty and protection. He pushed for changes in employment policies to be more pro-workers, and promised to prevent exploitative practices that could harm the future of workers.
The determination of sectoral minimum wages, which is now the authority of regional wage councils, according to the Head of State, is a strategic step to ensure wage fairness in various industrial sectors throughout the regions.
In addition, additional welfare programs in the form of providing nutritious food for children and pregnant women from low-income workers are also a serious concern for the government.
President Prabowo outlined plans to provide nutritious food assistance with an index of Rp10,000 per child or pregnant woman per day, and hopes that the figure can be increased to Rp15,000 if budget conditions allow. This program will complement existing social assistance, such as the Family Hope Program (PKH), to strengthen the quality of life of workers’ families.
Another concrete step that shows a very strong commitment from the government is how the central government is ready to synergize with local governments in improving employment conditions.
Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer emphasized the government’s seriousness in expanding attention to informal sector workers, including palm oil workers. He views that the protection of informal sector workers is an important part of the big agenda of building a much fairer and more prosperous Indonesia than before.
Encouraging employment literacy and counseling on the benefits of social security to the community is also part of the government’s strategic steps. The local government through the Manpower Office continues to strengthen partnerships with various companies so that all workers can be registered in the social security system.
This effort is believed to be able to lay the foundation for equitable and sustainable regional development, as well as create a sense of security for workers in carrying out all their economic activities.
The General Chairperson of the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPSI) Jumhur Hidayat also appreciated the government’s steps during President Prabowo’s leadership, which were considered to be clearly on the side of workers.
At the 52nd anniversary commemoration of KSPSI in Jakarta, Jumhur revealed that President Prabowo’s policies, such as increasing the regional minimum wage (UMR) by 6.5 percent, reviewing the Omnibus Job Creation Law, and limiting imported products that can be produced domestically, are real forms of support for workers.
Jumhur assessed that these policies were able to increase people’s purchasing power, which would then have a positive impact on industrial production and, ultimately, the welfare of workers as a whole.
He said that the policy of protection for domestic industry is important to reduce dependence on imported products, which has been the cause of the weakening of the national industry and the increase in cases of layoffs.
The government’s commitment to workers’ welfare is considered not only short-term, but also prioritizes the sustainability of national economic development. The government seeks to create a healthy, highly competitive employment ecosystem that is able to protect workers from the negative impacts of economic globalization.
Looking at the steps that have been taken, it is very clear that the government is not just talking about workers’ welfare, but has actually worked to realize this promise.
Policies that favor workers are a strong signal that the state is present and responsible for providing a more decent life for workers, as the vanguard of national development.
The government’s commitment to continuously improve workers’ welfare should be appreciated as a progressive step that brings new hope to millions of workers in the country. With synergy between the central government, local governments, labor unions, and the industrial sector, hope is created for a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future of employment. Indonesian workers, as the backbone of the nation, deserve an honorable place in the long journey of national development. (*)
*) Researcher of People’s Economy – Institute of Prosperous Economy
