ILO’s training initiatives strengthen public-private cooperation in responsible business and workforce development

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - Over a period of one and a half years since its launch in 2023, the ILO’s Skills Development and Responsible Business Conduct Project—funded by the Government of Japan through the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)—has conducted nine training programmes. These initiatives have strengthened the awareness, knowledge, and capacity of workers and employers, particularly in the electronics sector, highlighting the critical need to advance responsible business conduct (RBC) through skills development.

"This training offers valuable insights for workers, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to their respective companies, which, in turn, supports national progress," said Ari Septi, Technical Trainer at the Indonesia Mould and Dies Industry Association (IMDIA).

From the perspective of women workers, Nabila Ramadani, HR Expert Staff at PT Tosoma Abadi, expressed her appreciation for the training, stating, “This programme explored and addressed the needs of women workers, which brought me joy, as such trainings that prioritize and focus on women's needs are quite rare.”

Similarly, Ina, Sales Marketing at PT Go Trans Logistic International, shared her experience, saying, “As a female worker with family responsibilities, I gained valuable insights into benefits, rights, obligations and workplace protections that ensure a safe and comfortable environment.”

Ari, Nabila, and Ina were among the 1,205 employers and workers who benefited from a series of training programmes conducted by the ILO in support of an agreement signed in November 2024 between the Centre for Vocational and Extension Service Training (Cevest) Bekasi, under the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, and the Matsushita Gobel Foundation (MGF). The training programmes addressed key topics such as soft skills, quality apprenticeships, RBC, workforce development and grievance mechanisms to strengthen bipartite relations.

"Training in responsible business practices and conduct management is invaluable, as it equips us to tackle future challenges such as digital transformation, climate change, and other workforce shifts. This training is essential for enhancing skills to effectively meet evolving demands," stated Anung Widarto, Project Manager at Matsushita Gobel Foundation, welcoming the joint agreement.

The initiative aimed to develop upskilling and reskilling programmes for workers, including members of the Panasonic Gobel Trade Union Federation (FSPPG) and suppliers in industrial automation, as well as Cevest instructors. By strengthening instructor training, the programme sought to update the curriculum to better align with the evolving needs of the electronics industry.

Highlighting the value of the training for instructors, Adi Surono, Associate Expert Instructor at Cevest Bekasi, stated, “This training equips us with the latest systems and methodologies, which we will adapt to meet the needs of Cevest Bekasi, ensuring that our training delivery aligns with industry requirements.”

Both employer and worker organizations also welcomed this initiative. The Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) and FSPPG reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening labour-management collaboration through the promotion of RBC and skills development.

“Apindo can adopt these activities as a model to highlight the role of businesses on a global scale; therefore, ensuring the continuity of these efforts is essential,” stated Darwoto, Vice Chairman for Employment Affairs at Apindo. Likewise, Joko Wahyudi, President of FSPPG, emphasized, “Responsible business practices are a shared duty between trade unions and companies. One key aspect of responsible business is creating ample opportunities for workers to develop lifelong skills.”

Chairul Saleh, Assistant Deputy of Productivity Improvement and Labour Ecosystem Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, expressed appreciation for the ILO’s efforts in promoting public-private partnerships and dialogue. He emphasized the importance of skills enhancement in ensuring a competent and adaptable workforce for the next decade, preparing workers for evolving employment challenges, including job disruptions and emerging opportunities.

“The government highly values the implementation of the ILO’s RBC and Skills Development project, a collaborative initiative involving the government, businesses and trade unions,” he stated. “The model introduced by this project holds significant potential for expansion and sustainability, as it not only upholds fundamental rights but also integrates global trends such as automation, which presents challenges to traditional employment structures.”

The ILO’s Skills Development and Responsible Business Conduct Project focuses on promoting a more responsible business environment by improving the implementation of business and human rights in both policy and practice in Indonesia, particularly in electronic industry. The project is ended in March 2025.