A worker is sanitizing the company’s equipment as OSH measurements during the pandemic

JAKARTA (Joint Press Release) – The International Labour Organization (ILO), together with the Ministry of Manpower and the Government of Japan, is launching a new project today (6/7). The Project, “Enhancing COVID-19 Prevention at and through Workplaces”, aims to promote job creation by enhancing COVID-19 prevention and improving safety and health for workers, which is an indispensable precondition for business re-opening, continuation and expansion. The project will be implemented by full participation of employers and workers.
Through this collaborative project, we guide companies to give utmost priority to protect workers that, in turn, will sustain businesses.”
Haiyani Rumondang, Director General of the Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Manpower
The pandemic have affected around 29 million workers in Indonesia by August 2020, adding to the existing pool of about seven million jobseekers. 2.6 million workers lost their jobs and 24 million workers suffered from cuts in hours of work and wages due to the pandemic. Despite the on-going vaccination campaign that gives a hope of economic recovery, jobs recovery lags behind an economic upswing by a few years. The spread of new variants of COVID-19 have also threatened the scenario of quick recovery. A recent surge in new infection cases implies the corona virus pandemic is far from over. Helping Indonesian businesses to strengthen their workplace safety will prevent business closures and further job loss. Employers and workers need to act jointly and swiftly. Haiyani Rumondang, Director General of the Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Manpower, stated that ensuring the safe workplaces for business and workers have become a critical priority throughout the pandemic. “Through this collaborative project, we guide companies to give utmost priority to protect workers that, in turn, will sustain businesses. We also encourage both employer and workers to go beyond COVID-19 responses by building more resilient Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) mechanisms in all aspects of works,” she said.

The Launch of the Enhancing the Prevention of COVID-19 at and through Workplaces Project

Running until March 2022, the Project engages Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) and trade union confederations. The project will strengthen the capacity of labour inspectors, OSH professionals as well as representatives of enterprises and workers to effectively deal with today’s pandemic and other OSH challenges. Increased health and hygiene culture at workplaces may help sustain business operations and accelerate an economic recovery— resuming the country’s march towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
I believe this project will assist Indonesia to emerge stronger and more productive after the crisis by joint efforts by the stakeholders.”
Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia and Timor-Leste
The new project will be reaching out to at least 1,500 workplaces in partnership with the Indonesian Medical Association for Occupational Health (IDKI). Based on risk assessment, occupational doctors of IDKI will help companies generating action plans to improve measures against the spread of the virus. “In time of crisis like this, we are ready to devote our expertise to help both workers and companies. With the right measures, we can mitigate risks of the pandemic and ensure safety of workplaces,” stated Dr. Eddy, Chairperson of IDKI. OSH is the core element of decent work and the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. The ILO has accumulated not only global but also regional and national knowledge on OSH and has adopted more than 40 international standards and Codes of Practices on OSH. Therefore, Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, appraised the commitment shown by Indonesia to continue strengthening its OSH responses against the pandemic.
We are pleased to work with the ILO through this project to support Indonesia in strengthening its pandemic response capacity and building resilience to future crises.”
H.E. Kenji Kanasugi, Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia
“We all share the common goal that is to safeguard both workers and businesses throughout the pandemic. The project will bring the government, workers, employers and OSH specialists to work together. I believe this project will assist Indonesia to emerge stronger and more productive after the crisis by joint efforts by the stakeholders,” Michiko said.H.E. Kenji Kanasugi, Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, emphasized that the Government of Japan has been a long-lasting partner of the country. “Safety of workers and sustainability of businesses are key to the economic recovery and job security in the midst of pandemic. We are pleased to work with the ILO through this project to support Indonesia in strengthening its pandemic response capacity and building resilience to future crises.”For further information please contact:
Gita LinggaILO Communications OfficerEmail: gita@ilo.org

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© U.S. Pacific Fleet GENEVA (ILO News) – As the pressure mounts on countries to ease their lockdown restrictions, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has urged Governments to take action to prevent and control COVID-19 in the workplace, with active involvement and dialogue with employers’ and workers’ organizations. All employers need to carry out risk assessments and ensure their workplaces meet strict occupational safety and health criteria beforehand, to minimize the risk to workers of exposure to COVID-19, says the ILO. Without such controls, countries face the very real risk of a resurgence of the virus. Putting in place the necessary measures will minimize the risk of a second wave of contagion contracted at the workplace. In the face of an infectious disease outbreak, how we protect our workers now clearly dictates how safe our communities are, and how resilient our businesses will be, as this pandemic evolves.” Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General “The safety and health of our entire workforce is paramount today. In the face of an infectious disease outbreak, how we protect our workers now clearly dictates how safe our communities are, and how resilient our businesses will be, as this pandemic evolves,” said the Director-General of the ILO, Guy Ryder. “It is only by implementing occupational safety and health measures that we can protect the lives of workers, their families and the larger communities, ensure work continuity and economic survival,” Ryder added. In particular, risk control measures should be specifically adapted to the needs of workers at the frontline of the pandemic. These include health workers, nurses, doctors and emergency workers, as well as those in food retail and cleaning services. The ILO also highlighted the needs of the most vulnerable workers and businesses, in particular those in the informal economy, migrant and domestic workers. Measures to protect these workers should include – among others – education and training on safe and healthy work practices, free provision of PPE as needed, access to public health services and livelihood alternatives. On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I call on all countries to assure well-defined, decent and safe working conditions for all health workers.” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for strong national programmes to protect the health and safety of health workers, medical professionals, emergency responders, and the many other workers risking their lives on our behalf,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I call on all countries to assure well-defined, decent and safe working conditions for all health workers.” To ensure a safe return to work and to avoid further work disruptions, the ILO recommends: Mapping hazards and assessing risks of contagion in relation to all work operations, and continuing to assess them following a return to work. Adopting risk control measures adapted to each sector and the specifics of each workplace and workforce. These may include: – Reducing physical interactions between workers, contractors, customers and visitors and respecting physical distancing when any interactions occur.- Improving ventilation in the workplace.- Regularly cleaning surfaces, ensuring workplaces are clean and hygienic, and providing adequate facilities for handwashing and sanitization. Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers where necessary and at no cost. Providing arrangements for isolating suspected cases and tracing every contact. Providing mental health support for staff. Providing training, education and informational material about health and safety at work, including proper hygiene practices and the use of any workplace controls (including PPE).

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