Utilize momentum of International Labor Day 2023 to expand job opportunities: Jokowi
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) invited all stakeholders to capitalize on the momentum of the May Day or International Labor Day 2023 commemoration to achieve at least four goals, including expanding job opportunities.
Jokowi made the statement through a video greeting to commemorate the 2023 International Labor Day from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, and broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s official YouTube channel on Monday.
“We must use this momentum to continue to expand employment opportunities, improve the welfare of workers, protect the rights of workers, and increase national productivity and competitiveness,” he remarked.
To this end, the head of state spotlighted the importance of unwavering efforts to improve the quality of human resources (HR) in Indonesia through developing vocational education and increasing workforce skills.
He drew attention to the government’s several efforts to achieve the goal, including by providing pre-employment programs and job training centers conducted by the government, industry, and the general public as one of the steps that should be maintained.
“Efforts to upskill and reskill workers must continue to be carried out through pre-employment programs as well as through Job Training Centers conducted by the government, community, and industry,” he added.
On the other hand, he also said that the government continues to increase the amount of investment from within and outside the country.
This effort is believed to be able to expand employment opportunities, reduce the unemployment rate, and improve the welfare of workers in Indonesia, he remarked.
“Once again, Happy International Labor Day 2023,” he concluded.
In addition, Main Expert at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Fajar Dwi Wisnu Wardhani, affirmed that President Jokowi is always heedful of the workers’ needs and continues to build in-depth communication with them.
According to Wardhani, the president is also highly concerned about labor unions and striving to meet their needs in order to maintain the implementation of the national development plan. This is apparent from the issuance of regulations related to the protection and improvement of the competence of workers or laborers.
He cited as examples the issuance of Presidential Instruction Number 2 of 2021 on Social Security for Workers, Presidential Regulation Number 68 of 2022 on capacity building through the revitalization of vocational education and training, and Law Number 18 of 2017 on Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers.
