Said Iqbal Becomes Special Advisor to the President, Employment Bill Becomes a Priority

JAKARTA - The General Chair of the Indonesian Workers' Confederation (KSPI) Said Iqbal officially entered the palace circle. The labor figure was trusted to be the Special Advisor to the President for Employment. The labor figure immediately mentioned the Draft Law on Employment (RUU) as the main agenda that he would fight for.

Said Iqbal said he received the invitation to the inauguration on Sunday evening from Lieutenant Colonel Teddy. According to him, based on presidential regulations, the position of Presidential Special Advisor has the status of a minister.

"Of course, later I will only give many inputs to the President, whether asked or not asked, and make policy analysis," said Said Iqbal at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday, June 8.

According to Said Iqbal, the decision to accept the post had been discussed with the KSPI and the workers. He said the labor movement would not only fight from the outside, but also from within the government.

"After we discussed it at KSPI and the workers' friends, we decided to also fight through it," he said.

Said Iqbal said that this step was driven by his view of President Prabowo Subianto's favoritism towards small people, including workers, farmers, fishermen, and teachers.

He also assessed that so far, business people have many channels to provide input to the government. Meanwhile, the voice of workers has not had a balanced space at the policy-making level.

"The workers don't exist. I dare to say that I also have to give a balance to what the workers want to fight for," said Said Iqbal.

Even though he entered the palace environment, Said Iqbal emphasized that the critical attitude of the labor movement would not disappear.

"Democratically, it will not reduce our critical power to labor issues," he said.

When asked about the priorities entrusted to him by the workers, Said Iqbal answered briefly.

"RUU Ketenagakerjaan. RUU Ketenagakerjaan," kata Said Iqbal sebelum memasuki lokasi pelantikan.