By: Rivka Mayangsari*)
Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the Indonesian government has shown an extraordinary commitment to improving workers’ welfare and reducing poverty rates throughout the country. With concrete steps and pro-people policies, this government continues to prove that workers’ welfare is the main foundation for the nation’s progress.
President Prabowo emphasized that workers are the backbone of the country and without their presence, the wheels of the economy will not turn. Therefore, the President stated that the state has an obligation to ensure proper protection and welfare for workers. In his speech in Jakarta, the President said that the government is committed to increasing the minimum wage, improving the social security system, and providing greater protection to workers.
As a concrete demonstration of this commitment, President Prabowo announced that the average national minimum wage will increase by 6.5 percent for 2025. He added that the decision was made after in-depth discussions with trade union leaders, demonstrating the government’s dialogical and inclusive approach. The President also emphasized that the minimum wage increase policy is part of a social safety net that is very important to protect the welfare of Indonesian workers.
Not only at the national level, this spirit is also raging in the regions. The Governor of East Kalimantan, Rudy Mas’ud, expressed his commitment to improving the welfare of workers in his region. This commitment was proven through the signing of the Decree on the establishment of the Labor Supervision Task Force, which aims to ensure that workers’ rights are monitored and protected to the maximum. This task force involves various parties, including local governments, labor unions, academics, the National Police, and other related elements, forming a collective force in defending workers’ rights.
In an audience with labor unions, Governor Rudy emphasized the importance of collaboration between labor unions to strengthen their bargaining power. He also requested that labor unions and workers conduct proper member data collection, so that the provincial government can provide services such as the Gratispol program, namely free BPJS Health for wage workers below U more effectively. With these efforts, East Kalimantan Province is expected to not only focus on labor welfare, but also build a conducive investment climate to accelerate regional economic growth.
Concrete steps in improving people’s standard of living are also evident in Kendal Regency. The Kendal Regency Government held the Kendal Job Fair 2025 as a real form of opening up job opportunities as widely as possible. In his remarks, Kendal Regent Dyah Kartika Permanasari stated that his party welcomed the implementation of this activity as an effort to provide information and job opportunities, reduce open unemployment rates, and accelerate poverty alleviation.
Dyah also emphasized that this Job Fair is a form of synergy and mutual cooperation between the industrial world, workers, and local governments. Through various initiatives like this, it is hoped that unemployment rates can be reduced and community welfare can increase significantly.
Not only that, Tangerang Regency has shown extraordinary innovation in dealing with extreme poverty. The Tangerang Regency Government launched a Flagship Program entitled Prospek (Social Program for Improving the People’s and Regional Economy) through a pentahelix approach involving the government, academics, the business world, communities, and the media.
In his explanation, the representative of Tangerang Regency Government, Soma, revealed that low levels of education, minimal employment opportunities, and unequal distribution of social security are the main causes of extreme poverty in several regions. For this reason, the regional government has prepared various concrete steps, starting from strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), creating quality jobs, to developing cooperative-based agro-maritime industries.
In addition, the Regency Government is also focusing on strengthening the trade and service system and collaborative training to encourage local economic growth. Through the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), the Tangerang Regency Government is encouraging synergy between institutions to reduce extreme poverty and unemployment. One of the leading initiatives is the utilization of candlenut fruit into oil and the processing of tempeh semangit, the result of research by the Swiss German University team supported by PT TSN as a production partner.
Through these efforts, it is seen that the central and regional governments are synergizing in building a more prosperous and just Indonesia. President Prabowo Subianto and all levels of regional government have proven that fighting for workers’ rights and reducing poverty is not just a promise, but a top priority.
With strong commitment, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative programs, Indonesia’s future looks increasingly bright. Workers as the backbone of the nation are now receiving full attention, and people who have been marginalized are beginning to feel new hope. All of these steps are real evidence that Indonesia is moving towards equitable prosperity and social justice for all its people.
Furthermore, the government’s progressive steps reflect a grand vision to make Indonesia a developed country based on social justice and an inclusive economy. By continuing to strengthen labor protection, expand employment opportunities, and reduce poverty rates, this nation is believed to be able to create a more prosperous generation, globally competitive, and have a future full of optimism and sustainable prosperity.
*) Economic observer
