The Government is Serious About Expanding Job Opportunities to Meet the Demands of the 17+8 Era
By: Astrid Widia )*
The government continues to demonstrate that the people’s voice, expressed through the 17+8 initiative, will not be left unanswered. The commitment to expanding employment opportunities is being concretely implemented through cross-sectoral policies, guided directly by President Prabowo Subianto and his cabinet.
A cross-ministerial and institutional coordination meeting chaired by Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, emphasized that the government prioritizes public aspirations. He emphasized that public demands are crucial considerations in formulating new policies, as well as improving various sectors deemed lacking. According to Yusril, although some demands are directed at the House of Representatives (DPR), the executive branch remains committed to taking concrete steps to ensure that the public directly experiences change.
Similarly, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian added that most of the people’s aspirations are closely related to the economic and employment sectors. Tito believes that fulfilling these demands will significantly determine the nation’s future political and social dynamics. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between fulfilling aspirations and national stability, as any policy affecting the lives of many has the potential to cause tension if not communicated effectively. Therefore, reconciliation is key to preventing differences in perception from escalating into conflict.
President Prabowo himself has firmly signaled that the government’s priority programs are aimed at creating new job opportunities. In a closed meeting with relevant ministers, he requested the accelerated implementation of several flagship programs so that they could be immediately felt by the public. This step aligns with point 16 of the 17+8 aspirations, which urge the government to take emergency measures to prevent mass layoffs and protect contract workers.
These concrete steps are evident in a number of ongoing programs. First, the government launched 80,000 Red and White Village Cooperatives, which are expected to absorb 400,000 new workers. Second, the Ministry of Agriculture’s 870,000-hectare community plantation replanting program will create jobs for 1.6 million people over the next two years. Third, the Red and White Fishermen’s Village program is targeted to be launched in 100 villages this year, with a capacity to absorb around 7,000 workers. It will be expanded to 4,000 locations in the future, potentially accommodating 200,000 workers.
Furthermore, the revitalization of 20,000 hectares of fishponds in the Pantura region is projected to employ over 132,000 people. Meanwhile, the modernization program for 1,000 fishing boats is expected to create nearly 600,000 new jobs. These figures demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing public concerns about job opportunities.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto also emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing mass layoffs. In a dialogue with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), he reminded businesses that they should not simply think in terms of profit and loss. He argued that business success should also be measured by the extent to which entrepreneurs are able to maintain the continuity of their workforce. He even expressed his hope that entrepreneurs would remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting their workers, inspired by the spirit of Mount Tidar, which has long been a symbol of steadfastness for Kadin.
These policies are not merely numbers or promises on paper. Furthermore, this step demonstrates that the government is listening to the voice of the people and using it as a basis for formulating development directions. When public aspirations are used as a reference, national development is no longer a top-down process but rather emerges from the real needs felt by citizens.
In the socio-political context, the government’s swift response to the aspirations of the 17+8 movement also confirms that democracy in Indonesia is working well. Public voices are not merely discourse, but are transformed into concrete policies that prioritize well-being. With the right strategy, creating new jobs can strengthen public trust in the government while mitigating the potential for social unrest that typically arises from high unemployment.
Of course, the challenges ahead are not easy. Global competition, technological developments, and the threat of a global recession demand that Indonesia develop an adaptive workforce strategy. However, the government’s initial steps are already on the right track. By focusing on strategic sectors such as modern agriculture, the creative industry, fisheries, and renewable energy, Indonesia has the opportunity not only to increase its workforce but also to improve its quality and competitiveness on the international stage.
It’s important to recognize that the success of this strategy also requires broad public participation. The business world needs support, academics must be involved in developing a qualified workforce, and the community itself is required to be more proactive in seizing available opportunities. Collaboration between the government, businesses, and the public will be a solid pillar in ensuring that the aspirations voiced are truly realized.
With all the concrete steps already taken, the government’s commitment to responding to the aspirations of the 17+8 program cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric. The government has demonstrated its commitment through solid policies, programs, and cross-sector coordination. Maintained political stability, coupled with a focus on job creation, will strengthen the foundation of Indonesia’s development towards a more prosperous future.
This nation should be optimistic. As long as the people’s aspirations serve as the primary compass in the development journey, Indonesia will not only be able to overcome the challenges of the times but will also become a nation firmly established on the foundation of social justice and shared prosperity.
)* The author is a social and political observer
