Parliament Member: Worker Protection is Crucial, Business Sector Must Also Be Safeguarded

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of the Indonesian Parliament's Commission IX, Netty Prasetiyani, stated that the discussion of the Manpower Protection Bill must result in regulations that provide protection for workers while also ensuring certainty for businesses.

"We want to ensure this bill truly addresses today’s manpower issues. Worker protection is vital, but the certainty for businesses must also be maintained to ensure job creation can continue," Netty said in a statement on Thursday (17/9/2026).

The Prosperous Justice Party politician mentioned that the Manpower Bill covers various issues, including wages, fixed-term employment agreements (PKWT), outsourcing, layoffs, severance pay, apprenticeships, occupational health and safety (K3), as well as protections for informal and digital platform workers.

According to her, changing work patterns mean labor regulations cannot solely focus on conventional employment relationships.

"We want all workers to be included in protection systems so no one is left behind. At the same time, we must ensure regulations do not hinder businesses from growing and creating job opportunities," Netty added.

Netty reminded that the bill’s discussion must be conducted openly, listening to aspirations from various parties and be based on data.

She emphasized that the discussions aim to find a common ground.

“The working committee has the responsibility to seek a middle ground. The goal is not to side with any one party, but to establish a fair, productive, and sustainable labor ecosystem,” Netty said.

Labor Coalition Disappointed

The Great Indonesian Labor Struggle Coalition expressed disappointment with the draft of the Manpower Protection Bill prepared by the Indonesian Parliament.

President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPSI), Andi Gani Nena Wea, said the draft received by the labor coalition was far from the proposals they had previously submitted to the parliament.

“We have tried diplomatic channels for about four months, forming a joint team with Apindo because we want this Manpower Protection Bill to become a fair labor law for all stakeholders,” Andi Gani said after a public hearing (RDPU) regarding the bill in Commission IX of the parliament on Wednesday (16/9/2026).

“But the draft we received from the parliament is extremely disappointing to the labor groups,” he added.

Andi Gani mentioned that labor groups are still giving the parliament and government time to respond to their aspirations until September 22, 2026.

If there is no improvement to the bill draft, the Great Indonesian Labor Struggle Coalition is considering staging a large-scale demonstration in Jakarta.