Indonesia Calls for ILO Countries to Stop Forced Labor

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesia has called members of the International Labor Organization (ILO) to be committed to stopping any form of forced labor in the modern era. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar made the call when addressing the International Labor Conference (ILC) held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. "It is also important for all parties to address the issues of migrant workers and human trafficking. We also called for the creation of equal rights and obligations of countries sending and receiving migrant workers to ensure a fair movement of workers," he said. He added that any form of forced labor in the modern era must be stopped to protect workers against acts of exploitation, which go beyond the limits of propriety and violate workers' rights. "The Indonesian government supported by labor unions and employers remains committed to stopping any form of forced labor," he said in a press release on Tuesday. He added that Indonesia continued to take steps to stop any form of forced labor. Indonesia had ratified ILO Convention No. 29 on forced labor and Convention No. 105 on elimination of forced labor and other related instruments, he noted. "At the ILC discussion, the Indonesian government, along with representatives of employees and employers, has given inputs in preparing various instruments, regulations and policies to develop businesses, while at the same time protecting and ensuring the rights of workers," he said. In his address, the Indonesian minister also called on ILO member countries to cooperate in addressing the threat of human trafficking related to forced labor that goes beyond the limits of humanity. (*) Reporting by Arie Novarina EDITED BY INE