Indonesia champions better work standards for digital workers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Manpower Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing decent work for digital workers and improving protection for seafarers at the 113th International Labor Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

"For us, continued discussions about this convention are highly strategic, not only for workers but also for employers and the national economy in general," the ministry's Director General of Industrial Relations and Social Security for Workers Indah Anggoro Putri noted in a statement on Friday.

Putri explained that such a convention would provide a crucial foundation for ensuring decent working conditions for millions of workers in the digital economy platform sector, including online motorcycle taxi drivers, application-based couriers, and digital freelancers.

"With many countries and companies requiring compliance with the principles of decent work, this convention will open up greater opportunities for access to the labor market and investment," Putri remarked.

She also emphasized that the growth of the digital economy must continue to be guided by the principle of social justice.

Putri noted that the government is committed to acting as a facilitator to balance the interests of both workers and the business world.

In this way, digital workers will obtain basic rights, social protection, and a safe working environment, and also be free from discrimination, she stated.

"The principle of decent work must not be lost in the transformation of the digital economy. The state will be present to ensure that every form of work, including those based on digital platforms, continues to uphold the values of social justice," Putri noted.

In addition, Indonesia supports increasing protection for seafarers through amendments to the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) code.

She said Indonesia urges greater consideration for the perspectives of developing countries in the formulation of international maritime labor regulations and expressed the country's readiness to strengthen coordination among ministries and institutions to effectively implement amendments at the national level.

“As a port state and country that deploys seafarers, we believe this amendment will improve protection for seafarers from the risk of violence and harassment and ensure their rights are fulfilled,” the ministry's Director General of Manpower Supervision and Occupational Safety and Health Fahrurozi remarked.