Violence against women is among the most wide-spread human rights violations globally, including in Indonesia. Numerous studies from the around the globe also confirm the links between violence against HIV. Women living with HIV are more likely to have experienced violence, and that, women who have experienced violence are more likely to have HIV infection. [embedded content] To further discuss about vulnerability of women to violence and HIV, the ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Health conducted a webinar, “Why do women still struggle with vulnerability against violence and HIV”, on 3 November. The webinar reached a viewership of more than 350 people.The webinar marked the third webinar out of the eight webinars conducted by the ILO and its social partners to raise the public awareness about HIV/AIDS at the workplace and its linkage to the occupational safety and health (OSH). Covering various issues from youth, women to workplace best practices and government’s commitment, these webinars have been conducted from mid of October to the World AIDS Day on 1 December. Vulnerability of women to violence and HIV “When a women experience violence, she not only suffers from multiple layers of injustice, which includes restriction in mobility, access to health services and education, she also become more vulnerable to HIV that deprives her from the opportunity to participate in public life and economic activities,” said Early D. Nuriana, the ILO’s programme coordinator on HIV, when presenting the ILO’s Recommendation No. 200 on HIV/AIDS and world of work and the latest ILO’s Violence and Harassment Convention No. 190/2019. Due to their HIV status, they got double violence and blamed when seeking help. Thus, IPPI is calling for a HIV-friendly service to help these women.” Baby Rivona Nasution, an HIV activist of the Association of Positive Women Indonesia (IPPI) Baby Rivona Nasution, an HIV activist of the Association of Positive Women Indonesia (IPPI), presented the latest mini survey conducted by IPPI for its members, covering eight cities. The survey found that majority of its members experience at least one if not all types of violence from verbal, physical, sexual and reproductive abuses. Most of these abused victims preferred to keep silence as they faced even a greater discrimination when trying to report their cases to the authorities or seeking help to medical services. “Due to their HIV status, they got double violence and blamed when seeking help. Thus, IPPI is calling for a HIV-friendly service to help these women,” said Baby. Safe migration should be viewed in a holistic way by providing a proper training not only for working skills, but also for giving them better knowledge on reproductive health and HIV prevention in each migration cycle.” Anis Hidayah, Head of Study Department of Migrant Care From the perspective of migrant workers, Anis Hidayah, Head of Study Department of Migrant Care, shared the vulnerability of migrant workers to sexual harassment and HIV. Cultural taboos and religious beliefs, tying together with a sense of shame and secrecy, have inhibited proper education about reproductive health and safe sex for potential migrant workers before working afar from their families in destination countries. “Safe migration is still limited to administrative procedures. Violence and HIV vulnerabilities are potentially occurred in each of migration cycle. Safe migration should be viewed in a holistic way by providing a proper training not only for working skills, but also for giving them better knowledge on reproductive health and HIV prevention in each migration cycle,” stated Anis. Promoting a free-harassment workplace This programme provides a good understanding about equality, violence, sexual harassment and ways to prevent or solve them as part of the company’s programme. The result is not only the positive changes in working environment, but also changes in the surrounding community.” Shelly Woyla, Gender Focal Point of the ILO’s Better Work Indonesia (BWI) programme Workers in garment sector who predominantly are women also face similar vulnerability to violence and HIV. However, Shelly Woyla, Gender Focal Point of the ILO’s Better Work Indonesia (BWI) programme, said that BWI has initiated a programme that promotes awareness about gender-based violence, including HIV: Respectful Workplace Programme (RWP). “This programme involves commitment from all levels leadership of the company from the CEO, supervisors and the workers themselves. This programme provides a good understanding about equality, violence, sexual harassment and ways to prevent or solve them as part of the company’s programme. The result is not only the positive changes in working environment, but also changes in the surrounding community,” explained Shelly. The workplace education programme at PT USG includes HIV socialization (c) ILO/F. Latief One of the BWI’s companies that have implemented this programme was PT Ungaran Sari Garment (USG) in Semarang, Central Java. With a total of 300 workers of whom 95 percent women, PT USG has inserted the HIV protection in its Collective Labour Agreement (PKB), provided information on HIV and workplace issues and establish other health services for women workers such as pregnancy programme. We want to create a working environment where workers feel protected and comfortable and they also feel respected in equal working environment, including for workers with HIV.” Nur Arifin, Senior Manager for Human Resources and Compliance of PT USG “We want to create a working environment where workers feel protected and comfortable and they also feel respected in equal working environment, including for workers with HIV,” shared Nur Arifin, Senior Manager for Human Resources and Compliance of PT USG.The webinar was concluded with the review of existing laws and regulations related to the protection of women workers. Tresye Widiastuty Paidi, a labour inspector of the Ministry of Manpower, presented various relevant laws and regulations. However, she admitted the existing law has not yet provided adequate sanctions. Although the article No. 6 of Labour Law No.13/2003 has regulated about equal treatment without discrimination, in the implementation the sanction given is only administration sanction. “Lack of openness, shame and secrecy have made women to keep their problems against violence and HIV to themselves. We need to break this cycle,” she concluded.

Kari Tapiola, former Deputy Director-General of the ILO ACTRAV INFO: Why did you write this book? It stemmed from a discussion I had with the Director of ACTRAV  Maria Helena André, when it became clear that initial preventive measures would soon be followed by an economic and employment crisis. In principle, the nascent problems were the […]

Around 1,300 people viewed the web seminar titled “In the face of a pandemic: Ensuring Safety and Health at Work”, representing government officials, labour inspectors, workers, employers, academia, OSH practitioners and students. It aimed to raise the awareness regarding responses and actions taken at both global and national level against the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar on COVID-19 and OSH to commemorate the World OSH Day The discussion was conducted in a webinar and in conjunction with the commemoration of the World OSH Day on 28 April.Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia, emphasized the importance of international labour standards, particularly ILO conventions related to OSH. “The ILO’s OSH Convention No. 155 and its Recommendation provides essential tools for governments, employers and workers to establish sound prevention and protection measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the world of work,” she said in her opening remark. The ILO’s OSH Convention No. 155 and its Recommendation provides essential tools for governments, employers and workers to establish sound prevention and protection measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the world of work.” Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia The web seminar presented Dr Ghazmahadi, Director of OSH Inspection of the Ministry of Manpower, Fatma Lestari, OSH expert and lecturer from University of Indonesia and Grace M. Halim, technical officer from ILO’s Lab/Admin OSH. They shared the importance of OSH as protective and preventive measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.“The Ministry of Manpower has established an online service named Corona’s OSH online service, aimed to provide information, consultation and complaint service for workers, employers and public at large about COVID-19. We receive an average of 100-150 queries every day, ranging from basic information about the contagion, preventive actions to workplace safety and rights at work,” stated Dr Ghazmahadi.Meanwhile, Fatma Lestari explained the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic to the society and workplace. She emphasized the importance of preventive actions that should be taken by individuals to stop the spread of the virus. “Every person has an obligation to take actions by as simple as wearing masks to avoid transmission of droplets to working from home,” she added. The Ministry of Manpower has established an online service named Corona’s OSH online service, aimed to provide information, consultation and complaint service for workers, employers and public at large about COVID-19. We receive an average of 100-150 queries every day.” Dr Ghazmahadi, Director of OSH Inspection of the Ministry of Manpower As the title of the web seminar was in line with the ILO’s latest report, Grace M. Halim highlighted the ILO’s latest OSH report. The report explores measures to prevent and control the risk of contagion, psychosocial risks, ergonomic and other work-related safety and health risks associated with the pandemic.She highlighted OSH social dialogue as key to build and strengthen communications and cooperation between workers and employers. “Through social dialogue, both workers and employers can ensure the implementation of the preventive and protective measures, adopt responsible behaviours and discuss business continuity plan,” Grace emphasized.During the interactive discussion session, queries posed by the enthusiast participants were regarding measures that should be taken at the workplace during and post the outbreak of COVID-19, whether COVID-19 disease could be categorized as occupational disease and effectivity of rapid test.The web seminar concluded with suggested measures during the recovery or return to work. They included measures to strengthen information and communication to workers and employers, continuing information sharing and education as well as increasing alertness and preventive actions.The web seminar was also part of the DK3N weekly web seminar named GO DK3N. Since the commencement of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, DK3N has reached out to thousands of Indonesian people, particularly young people, increasing awareness and sharing information related to COVID-19 and OSH.

OSH at the workplace: Safety first Around 60 key representatives on occupational safety and health (OSH) gathered in Jakarta to review and finalize proposed activities and programmes in the draft National Occupational Safety and Health Programme 2020-2024. Such draft will be enacted through a Presidential Decree next year. The validation workshop was jointly conducted by the Ministry of Manpower in collaboration with the ILO on 26 November 2019. The National OSH Programme will become a significant reference point for driving a sustainable OSH development in the next five years.” M. Iswandi Hari, Acting Director General on Labour Inspection and OSH Development of the Ministry of Manpower The workshop was an immediate follow-up to the launch and publication of the National OSH Profile last June in Jakarta. The first of its kinds for Indonesia, the Profile summarizes the existing national situation on OSH. The Profile also reviews current legislation and regulations, OSH infrastructure and resources, as well as the national situation of occupational injury and diseases.The Profile acts as the basis for the formulation of the National OSH Programme that defines concrete medium- and long-term objectives on national OSH prevention and mechanism programmes. It also highlights key OSH activities and programmes, objectives and impacts of each activity and programme, roles and responsibilities of each stakeholders and monitoring as well as evaluation mechanism. Strengthening the National OSH System is deemed necessary to show that OSH is a universal language that can be used as a medium of communication and improvement for the life of the nation and people.” Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director for Indonesia A series of meetings had been conducted since the beginning of the year, involving key OSH representatives such as the Ministry of Manpower, National OSH Councils, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, employers’ and workers’ organizations, OSH youth champions, academia, enterprises and other relevant partners. M. Iswandi Hari, Acting Director General on Labour Inspection and OSH Development of the Ministry of Manpower, emphasized the importance of the National OSH Programme for Indonesia. “The National OSH Programme will become a significant reference point for driving a sustainable OSH development in the next five years. And, it plays a crucial role in ensuring the active participation and ownership from line ministries, key labour actors and other relevant stakeholders,” he stated. Meanwhile, Michiko Miyamoto, ILO Country Director for Indonesia, appraised the strong support given by national tripartite constituents to the drafting and development of the National OSH Programme. “Strengthening the National OSH System is deemed necessary to show that OSH is a universal language that can be used as a medium of communication and improvements for the life of the nation and its people. Not many issues or systems in the world have the power to unite many groups in improving the quality of life, especially the economy,” she said. The OSH national meeting to finalize the draft National OSH Programme Regulated by the Presidential Decree on OSH Abdul Hakim, the ILO’s OSH Expert Consultant, presented lessons learnt from other countries related on benefits gained by countries that have developed their national OSH programmes. Japan, for example, has focused its national OSH programme on the prevention of workplace stress; while Bulgaria aims to raise national awareness about issues related to OSH.He also emphasized the statement given by the ILO’s country director regarding the commitment of tripartite stakeholders. “The involvement of trade unions in the process of drafting the National OSH program is important since they are most at risk for accidents and occupational diseases,” Abdul added. It will be a great national momentum to have the Presidential Decree on OSH be officially issued in the national OSH month in January.” Ghazmahadi, OSH Director of the Ministry of Manpower As a follow-up to the validation meeting, the Ministry of Manpower will finalize the final version National OSH Programme based on the final inputs and feedbacks gained in the meeting. “We are going to get the approval of the President of the Republic Indonesia with a view that it will be regulated through the Presidential Decree,” Ghazmahadi, OSH Director of the Ministry of Manpower who led the validation meeting. With the coming national OSH month from 14 January to 14 February, the Ministry of Manpower, with support from the ILO, will aim to have the Presidential Decree issued during the national OSH month. “It will be a great national momentum to have the Presidential Decree on OSH be officially issued in the national OSH month,” hoped Ghazmahadi. Indonesia ratified the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) in 2014 through a Presidential Regulation No. 34 Year 2014, manifesting its national commitment that economic development and improvement of national production should not be conducted at the expense of OSH, and in support of its efforts to promote national OSH culture.

The SafeYouth@Work Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor aims to improve the occupational safety and health (OSH) of young workers above the minimum age of work up to 24 years, and to build a culture of prevention on OSH. From 2015 to 2019, the project implemented a wide range of activities in Viet […]

“The establishment of this interactive communications platform is also marked the continuous efforts taken by Indonesia, with support of the ILO, in promoting OSH awareness and culture prevention for young people in the country,” remarked Abdul Hakim, the ILO’s National Coordinator on OSH. Complementing the portal, a board game named OSHNopoly was also launched. Inspired by the classic board game Monopoly, the OSHNopoly was aimed to raise OSH awareness in a fun and creative way.“Together with the ILO, we have tested the OSHNopoly and we have received good responses. They all said that they can easily understand OSH related issues by playing the game,” told Fadlil Kaafi, one of the ILO’s OSH youth champions who assisted the ILO in the try out sessions and who have developed a short tutorial video on OSHNopoly. [embedded content] Aspirations of young workers about OSH The event was concluded with an interactive talkshow with young workers representing a young employer, a young creative worker, a young unionist and a young university student as a future worker. The talkshow concluded with the notion that most of young workers still lack of understanding and awareness related to OSH while performing the jobs and professions. An interactive talkshow with young workers discussing about the importance of OSH for young workers “Most businesses run by a young employer like me still have a lack of understanding about OSH and the importance of OSH for businesses. Through discussions like this would help us better implementing OSH in our businesses and taking the benefits from the OSH prevention culture in our workplace,” said Ahmad Alviansyah, 24 years old, a young employer in a shoe cleaning business. We do not even realize that long working hours are considered as occupational hazards. We take this as our dedication to work.” Regi Kusnadi, 24 years old, a creative young worker Similarly Regi Kusnadi, 24 years old, a creative young worker, shared that most of creative young workers tend to work long hours. “We do not even realize that long working hours are considered as occupational hazards. We take this as our dedication to work,” told Regi.Dini Rahmawati, a young unionist, has been active in disseminating information related to OSH to young workers. “I learnt that young workers could be so ignorant about issues related to OSH. That is why I tried to approach young workers in my circle and raise their awareness that when we talk about jobs, the main issues are not only about wages and benefits, but also working conditions and OSH,” she explained. A video blog or vlog on OSH can be effective to reach out to youth and young workers. Other way includes the appointment of young OSH ambassador – an influencer with a high number of young followers can be selected as he or she can better communicate these issues to his or her followers and other young people.” Indana, a young university student ‘You only live once’ slogan was also one of the constraints to approach youth and young workers to be interested in learning OSH related issues. Therefore Indana, a young university student, suggested some innovative ways to better promote OSH related issues to youth.“A video blog or vlog on OSH can be effective to reach out to youth and young workers. Other way includes the appointment of young OSH ambassador – an influencer with a high number of young followers can be selected as he or she can better communicate these issues to his or her followers and other young people,” she said. The OSHNopoly game is given to one of the young workers by DK3N The event was conducted by The ILO’s Youth4OSH programme aims to reduce workplace injuries, fatalities and occupational diseases through inculcating a preventive safety and health culture among young workers and young employers. The programme is supported by the US Council for International Business (USCIB).