By: Silvia Anggun )*
The Job Creation Law (UU), which was inaugurated during the leadership of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), has become one of the most important policies in the government’s efforts to improve the Indonesian economy. This policy comes with the spirit of simplifying regulations and creating jobs. The Job Creation Law also reflects the values of Pancasila which are the basic foundation of the Indonesian state, especially in the aspects of social justice, mutual cooperation and general welfare.
In an effort to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic development targets, the Indonesian government under the leadership of President Jokowi proposed the Job Creation Law as a solution to various structural problems facing the national economy. One of the main problems that this law aims to overcome is overlapping regulations which have been considered to hinder investment and job creation. By simplifying bureaucracy and regulations, the government hopes to encourage faster and more equitable economic growth throughout Indonesia.
The Job Creation Law, which is often referred to as an “omnibus law” because it includes changes to many laws at once, is designed to increase Indonesia’s competitiveness at the global level. This is mainly because, in recent years, Indonesia has been considered less competitive than neighboring countries in terms of attracting foreign investment. Problems such as complicated regulations, high labor costs, and legal uncertainty are considered the main obstacles.
However, apart from the clear economic objectives, the Job Creation Law must also be seen from a broader perspective. President Jokowi emphasized that this law reflects the spirit of Pancasila, especially in terms of creating social justice for all Indonesian people. Through this law, it is hoped that a balance will be created between the interests of workers, employers and the government in order to achieve shared prosperity.
Pancasila, as the basis of state ideology, contains five precepts which reflect the main values that must guide every national policy. If examined in depth, the Job Creation Law can be seen as the embodiment of several important principles in Pancasila, especially in the context of creating a just and prosperous society.
Head of the Pancasila Study Center (PSP) at Gadjah Mada University, Agus Wahyudi, stated that the Job Creation Law has values that are in line with Pancasila, namely creating flexible and dynamic employment opportunities by upholding the principles of social justice. Social justice, which is contained in the fifth principle of Pancasila, is one of the main foundations of the Job Creation Law. President Jokowi, on various occasions, emphasized that this law was designed to create social justice by ensuring that every citizen has easier access to work and welfare.
In line with this, the Secretary of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Socialization of the Job Creation Law, Arif Budimanta, emphasized that the Job Creation Law is in accordance with the values of Pancasila. This can be seen from the articles contained in the law. The initial consideration when the Job Creation Law was proposed was in order for Indonesian citizens to have a decent life.
Arif added that the Indonesian economy is supported by MSMEs, so that all government policies are made by paying attention to the convenience and welfare of micro and small businesses. Investor is a sentence that is actually neutral, not aimed at the upper and large classes, but Indonesian citizens who are engaged in micro business are also investors for the progress of the Indonesian economy.
The Job Creation Law pays special attention to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are the backbone of the Indonesian economy. By simplifying regulations and various incentives provided to MSMEs, the government hopes to increase the competitiveness of this sector and create more jobs. This step is in line with the values of social justice, because MSMEs are often a source of livelihood for underprivileged communities.
Apart from that, the Job Creation Law also aims to strengthen national unity by creating more and more equal job opportunities. One of the problems that often triggers social tension in Indonesia is the high unemployment rate, especially among youth. By creating more job opportunities, it is hoped that social tensions can be reduced and national unity strengthened.
Regarding labor industrial relations, the Head of the Industrial Relations Correction Section of the Ministry of Manpower, Lucky Mahadewi explained that there are seven (7) principles of industrial relations that are in accordance with Pancasila values, namely common interests, profitable partnerships, functional relationships and division of tasks, kinship, creating peace. effort, increasing productivity, and increasing collective prosperity.
As time goes by, the success of the Job Creation Law in bringing the spirit of Pancasila will depend greatly on how this policy is implemented in the field. This law is not the end of the economic reform process, but rather the first step to create a better ecosystem for economic growth and people’s welfare. The spirit of mutual cooperation, social justice and just and civilized humanity must continue to guide every development step taken.
)* The author is from the editorial team of the Student Press Institute (LPM) Ideas
