Many And Inclusive Field Opening Needs Acceleration Support For Economic Growth

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara / Coordinating Ministry for the Economy)

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto assessed that support for accelerating economic growth is very important in order to create more and inclusive jobs.

"The improvement in Indonesia's current economy can be seen from the positive continued growth of 5.72 percent year on year (yoy) in the third quarter of 2022. This condition cannot be separated from the contribution of workers who are one of the drivers of the national economy," said Airlangga, who was present virtually at the "Apindo 8th Industrial Relation Conference" event, as quoted from an official statement quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 1.

"The government is carrying out structural reforms by issuing Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation to encourage more and inclusive jobs," added the Coordinating Minister for the economy.

Through the Job Creation Law, the government provides better protection for workers through improving employment policies to be more adaptive to the changing times.

The government still guarantees workers' rights such as obtaining decent wages, free association, obtaining equal opportunities and treatment, and obtaining severance pay when subject to termination of employment (PHK).

He continued, the government also presented a policy breakthrough through strengthening protection for workers with a Specific Time Work Agreement (PKWT) by regulating the provisions for providing compensation to workers with PKWT when the contract period has been completed.

Another breakthrough is the improvement of the national social security system by adding the Job Loss Guarantee (JKP) program, which will provide protection for workers exposed to layoffs in order to meet the needs of life, improve competence, and have the opportunity to get new jobs.

The JKP program provides three benefits, namely cash of 45 percent of wages for the first three months and 25 percent of wages for the next three months, job training, and access to job market information. Through these three benefits, it is hoped that workers who are laid off can return to the labor market.

"Indonesia needs to carry out economic transformation to achieve the ideals of a prosperous and high-income country in 100 years of independence, namely before 2045. Therefore, structural reforms with the implementation of the Job Creation Law need to be supported by all parties, including entrepreneurs, so that economic growth can continue to be accelerated and create many job opportunities," he said.