Indonesia Calls for Inclusive, Skills-Based Approach to Future of Work at ASPAG Meeting
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to addressing global and regional employment challenges through inclusive, strategic, and data-driven approaches, during the Asia-Pacific Group (ASPAG) Ministerial Meeting held on the sidelines of the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) at the United Nations Office in Geneva on Thursday.
“Our solutions must be inclusive, data-driven, and focused on competency development through upskilling and reskilling, so no one is left behind in the transformation of work,” Minister Yassierli stated, emphasizing the importance of equity in navigating the future of labor amid rapid changes.
During the meeting, the Minister also conveyed Indonesia’s appreciation for the solidarity demonstrated by ASPAG member states towards Palestine, endorsing continued support for the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) initiatives in the region. “Indonesia welcomes ASPAG’s joint statement in support of the ILO’s work in Palestine. It strongly reflects the values of justice and solidarity we all share,” he affirmed.
Yassierli noted that the Asia-Pacific region continues to grapple with diverse labor market issues, including persistently high youth unemployment and the growing number of aging workers. He stressed the need for employment policies that are both flexible and responsive to the varied socio-economic realities across member countries, warning against the adoption of uniform approaches.
Highlighting Indonesia’s proactive stance, the Minister outlined a series of national employment reforms focused on social justice, equitable access to job opportunities, and enhanced national productivity. Among these are strategic efforts to modernize vocational training centers (BLKs) to meet future industry demands, foster transformative industrial relations, and implement a national apprenticeship program to narrow the gap between education and employment.
“In addition, Indonesia is expanding the reach of social security programs to protect vulnerable worker groups and bolster socio-economic resilience in the face of global uncertainties,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Yassierli underscored the need for fair representation of Asia-Pacific nations in international decision-making forums, including within the ILO. “We fully support the ILO’s mission in this region and are ready to collaborate with all ASPAG members to shape a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future of work,” he said.
The ASPAG Ministerial Meeting brought together labor ministers and representatives from across the Asia-Pacific to deliberate on shared challenges, regional cooperation, and the promotion of decent work aligned with ILO standards and principles.
