The Employment Bill Must Be A Fair Regulation For Workers And The Business World

Illustration of Jabodetabek (ANTARA) employees

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX DPR RI, Netty Prasetiyani Aher responded to input from a number of labor unions related to the Draft Law on Manpower. He emphasized that the bill must be a fair regulation and be able to protect workers and the business world.

Netty also ensured that the discussion of this law would be carried out carefully and comprehensively. Of course, he said, taking into account the interests of all parties.

The Employment Bill concerns the livelihoods of millions of workers and the sustainability of the business world. Therefore, every proposal from trade unions, employers, and the government needs to be considered proportionally in order to produce fair regulations," said Netty in a statement to reporters, Thursday, September 25.

Netty assessed that the principle of decent wages and worker welfare is also important to pay attention to in the discussion of the Employment Bill. However, the implementation must be adjusted by considering national economic conditions.

"The principle of decent wages must be a concern, but in its implementation it is necessary to take into account national economic conditions and industrial competitiveness," he said.

For example, related to severance pay as a form of basic protection for workers. The formulation needs to be made fair, realistic, and can be carried out without burdening workers or business actors," continued Netty.

In addition, Netty emphasized the need to strengthen BPJS Employment and BPJS Health as a guarantee for workers' protection. "This is important in order to provide wider, transparent, and easily accessible services to workers," he said.

Netty also hopes that the Employment Bill can become a bridge that brings together the interests of all parties fairly, not even a source of conflict.

"Good regulation must maintain workers' rights while providing space for the business world to develop," concluded Netty.

Previously, as many as 17 trade union and labor confederations attended the Working Committee meeting of the Employment Bill with Commission IX of the DPR at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 23.

They provide input on the revision of Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower which is being discussed in the DPR RI Prolegnas.

The majority of Confederation representatives urged the elimination of outsourced practices or power transfers that were considered detrimental to workers. Because their work relationship is under third parties, not directly with the main company.

In addition to outsourcing, labor unions also highlight the practice of unpaid internships. Where companies often use interns to reduce operational costs, even open vacancies for undergraduate graduates with internship status.

During the meeting, the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPSI) also emphasized the need to improve the regulation of foreign worker permits. KSPSI assesses that the current rules are too loose to threaten the position of local workers. It is hoped that the state will be stronger in the revision of the Employment Law.

The input from the labor union will be discussed by the Panja for the Employment Bill which was formed on April 22, 2025. The Employment Bill has been officially included in the 2025-2026 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).