Minister of Manpower Yassierli Promotes Industrial Relations "Class Up" to Face AI Disruption

Minister of Manpower, Yassierli (photo: dok. sekneg)

Jakarta - Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, emphasized that the future of Indonesia's labor world is very determined by the ability to build industrial relations that are not only harmonious, but also transformative in the midst of the wave of artificial intelligence (AI) disruption.

In his statement in Jakarta, Saturday, April 4, Yassierli said that the pattern of relations between workers and companies must undergo a fundamental shift. If previously focused on stability and mitigating conflicts, now industrial relations are required to become the foundation of strategic collaboration that can drive productivity as well as welfare.

"Industrial relations must be upgraded, not only harmonious, but also transformative, where workers and companies become strategic partners that grow together," he said.

The statement comes amid rapid changes in the structure of work due to digitization and automation. AI technology, he said, not only changes the way of work in the information technology sector, but also penetrates other fields such as health and pharmaceuticals which have been considered more conventional.

Yassierli reminded that innovation should not be carried out without protection. He emphasized the principle of inclusiveness in digital transformation, by ensuring that no workers are left behind.

"When the world talks about IT, automation, and AI, we must ensure that no worker is left behind. No one left behind. Innovation and productivity must go hand in hand with worker protection," he said.

Conceptually, the Minister of Home Affairs described the relationship between industry as a spectrum that is evolving. The initial stage begins with compliance with labor regulations, then increases through open communication and policy consultations. The next stage is cooperation in solving problems, until finally reaching the highest level in the form of collaboration and strategic partnerships.

In this phase, workers are no longer positioned as mere production factors, but as strategic assets of the company. This perspective is considered to be the key to improving business competitiveness while maintaining the sustainability of labor welfare.

"My dream is that all companies will raise the maturity of their industrial relations. What used to be no trade unions, so there are. Those who don't have a collective agreement yet, so they have. Those who have it but are still normative, evolve into a win-win solution. Then go up again to the stage of collaboration, where companies and workers become true partners," he explained.

He also emphasized the importance of balance between productivity and welfare. According to him, improving welfare cannot stand alone without contributing to company performance.

In this context, Yassierli encourages that every worker's aspiration is conveyed through a constructive social dialogue. He assessed that the approach based on mutual cooperation and consensus is still relevant as the foundation of Indonesia's industrial relations in the modern era.

"Healthy industrial relations are built on mutual trust, mutual listening, and mutual search for solutions. Not just opposing interests," he said.

More broadly, he sees the relationship as an important prerequisite for bringing Indonesia to face the digital economy era more prepared. With the changing work landscape, the partnership model between workers and companies is considered to be the determinant of whether Indonesia is able to compete or even fall behind.

"Transformative industrial relations are one of the keys to bringing the Indonesian workforce to be more prepared for change towards a prosperous Indonesia and a golden Indonesia," said Yassierli.