Health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic at workplace (c) ILO/F. Latief In conjunction with the commemoration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the ILO conducted two series of events: media briefing for journalists and media organizations and national occupational safety and health (OSH) webinar. Under the theme of “the Portrayal of OSH Investments in Indonesia”, the media briefing and webinar were organized on 27 and 29 April, respectively.
The unemployment benefit aims to provide unemployed workers with a temporary and partial income replacement, while severance pay aims to appreciate workers for long services.”
Hery Sutanto, Director for OSH Institutional Development of the Ministry of Manpower
These events aimed to raise the awareness about the importance of OSH investments and the vital role that safe workplaces played for crisis recovery and prevention. Drawing on the current lessons learned, the events also focused on strengthening national OSH systems as an effort to build resilience in dealing with the current COVID-19 and the future crises. The two events presented Yuka Ujita, ILO’s OSH specialist. She highlighted the ILO’s OSH latest report titled “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems”. The report examines risk prevention and management related to pandemic. It also outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by OSH regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training.She also reminded that, as well as the health and care sectors, many other workplaces have been sources of COVID-19 outbreaks, particularly small and micro-sized enterprises. “The informal economy has difficulties to meet official OSH requirements due to lack of resources in adapting to the threats posed by the pandemic,” said Yuka.
The informal economy has difficulties to meet official OSH requirements due to lack of resources in adapting to the threats posed by the pandemic.”
Yuka Ujita, ILO’s OSH specialist
The two events also presented the OSH investments made by the Indonesian government. In addition to series of regulatory frameworks, Ministry of Manpower recently launched the new unemployment benefit as response to the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. “The unemployment benefit aims to provide unemployed workers with a temporary and partial income replacement, while severance pay aims to appreciate workers for long services,” stated Hery Sutanto, Director for OSH Institutional Development. Other investments included the establishment of COVID-19 control and prevention programme at the enterprise level, the development of the National OSH Strategy 2021-2025, labour inspection reform, OSH online platform for certification and capacity building and the regional OSH programmes at the ASEAN level. Perspectives of media on OSH Journalists should be aware of the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic (c) Tempo.co

Media organizations still focus on terrors and intimidation to journalists, but not yet focus on the overall OSH issues to better protect their journalists and media workers. As a result, media reportage have not linked the pandemic related issues to OSH and have not covered the pandemic issues in a comprehensive way.”
Wahyu Dhyatmika, Secretary General for the Association for Indonesian Media Cyber (AMSI) and Editor-in-Chief of Tempo, a leading media in Indonesia
The media briefing was jointly conducted with the Alliance of Indonesian Journalists (AJI) Jakarta. In addition to the ILO report and the government’s investments, the media briefing also discussed perspective of the media on OSH. Wahyu Dhyatmika, Secretary General for the Association for Indonesian Media Cyber (AMSI) and Editor-in-Chief of Tempo, a leading media in Indonesia, admitted that mass media organizations have not yet focused on OSH for their journalists and media workers. Media organization have not yet considered pandemic related issues as OSH issues. “Media organizations still focus on terrors and intimidation to journalists, but not yet focus on the overall OSH issues to better protect their journalists and media workers. As a result, media reportage have not linked the pandemic related issues to OSH and have not covered the pandemic issues in a comprehensive way,” said Wahyu.However, he added, some efforts have been made to improve the protection of journalists. One of them was through the publication of the guideline on safety protocols for journalists. “We hope to continue raising the awareness among journalists and media organizations about this important issue and this will be part of the policy of the National Press Council,” he added.Perspectives of workers and employers
OSH Webinar 2021 Complementing the explanation about the OSH resilience and investment, the OSH Webinar, jointly conducted with the Ministry of Manpower, highlighted joint efforts taken by both workers and employers. Fransiskus Sales Sudaryono, OSH Committee of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) and Djoko Wahyudi, Head of Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia of the Indonesian Muslims Trade Union Confederation (K-Sarbumusi), shared their experiences.
The government is committed to tackle COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Both employers and workers should be part of the commitment to accelerate the OSH implementation, invest in long-term OSH programmes and ensure both business sustainability as well as the protection of workers.”
Haiyani Rumondang, Director General on Labour Inspection and OSH Development of the Ministry of Manpower
Fransiskus admitted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, companies tended to focus on safety issues and not on the health issues. However, to prevent the virus transmission at the workplace, company members of Apindo have now focused on both safety and health by establishing COVID-19 Task Force. Companies have also made the best use of technology to conduct health detection and contact tracing. “In addition to daily communications and health patrol at the enterprise level, we also use a mobile application to ensure workers’ health condition and to monitor distance and tracing. We work together with trade unions to protect workers and maintain business sustainability,” he said.Similar efforts were also shared by Djoko. “We work together with the management to integrate COVID-19 protocols into the company’s OSH policy of “zero accident and zero COVID-19 cases”. We also support work adjustments by ensuring physical distancing, better air circulation, sanitizing and so forth,” Djoko said.In addition to the policies and workplace adjustments, Djoko added, the trade union has also made efforts to support the welfare of workers and the surrounding communities. “We provide donations and social facilities for workers and we also ensure the safety of our surrounding communities by organizing the sanitation.”The active involvement of employers and workers was also the key message highlighted by Haiyani Rumondang, Director General on Labour Inspection and OSH Development of the Ministry of Manpower, in her remarks. “The government is committed to tackle COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Both employers and workers should be part of the commitment to accelerate the OSH implementation, invest in long-term OSH programmes and ensure both business sustainability as well as the protection of workers.”

© KB Mpofu / ILO GENEVA (ILO News) – Countries need to put in place sound and resilient occupational safety and health (OSH) systems that would minimize the risks for everyone in the world of work in the event of future health emergencies, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a report, released on World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This will require investment in OSH infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, so that workers’ safety and health is protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported. The report, Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems, examines risk prevention and management relating to the pandemic, and analyses other health and safety risks associated with the changing work arrangements arising from virus control measures. It outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by occupational safety and health regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training. “There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder. There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment.” Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged workers in specific sectors, such as emergency, health and social care, have been particularly vulnerable to the risk of infection. According to data cited in the report, 7,000 health workers have died since the outbreak of the crisis, while 136 million health and social care workers are at risk of contracting COVID-19 through work. The pressures and risks facing health workers during the pandemic have also taken a toll on their mental health: one in five healthcare workers globally have reported depression and anxiety symptoms. As well as the health and care sectors many other workplaces have been sources of COVID-19 outbreaks, when staff are in closed environments or spend time in close proximity with each other, including in shared accommodation or transport. In analyzing the health concerns arising from the dramatic increase in teleworking during the pandemic, the report says that while teleworking has been essential in limiting the spread of the virus, maintaining jobs and business continuity and giving workers increased flexibility, it has also blurred the lines between work and private life. Sixty-five per cent of enterprises surveyed by the ILO and the G20 OSH Network reported that worker morale has been difficult to sustain while teleworking. The report says small and micro-sized enterprises have often found it hard to meet official OSH requirements because many have lacked the resources to adapt to the threats posed by the pandemic. In the informal economy, many of the 1.6 billion workers, especially in developing countries, have continued working despite lockdowns, restrictions on movement and social interaction, and other measures. This has put them at high risk of catching the virus, yet most do not have access to basic social protection, such as sick leave or sick pay. International labour standards (ILS) offer specific guidance on how to respond to these challenges, thereby reducing the risk of virus transmission in the workplace, the report says. They provide tools to implement OSH measures and to ensure that workers, employers and governments can maintain decent work, while adjusting to the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. ILS also encourage social dialogue as the best way to ensure that procedures and protocols are effectively implemented and accepted.

The National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) month, held annually from 12 January to 12 February, was marked with two important national events held in Westernmost Province of Aceh: The national seminar held by Iskandar Muda University, Banda Aceh, on 11 January and the launch of the National OSH month at Zero Kilometre Monument of Sabang, Aceh, on 12 January. OSH measurement taken at the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic (c) ILO/F. Latief These activities were conducted by the Ministry of Manpower with support from relevant labour actors in the country, including the ILO. Under this year’s theme, “Strengthening Superior Human Resources and OSH Culture in All Business Sectors”, the National OSH month highlighted the importance of OSH, particularly during the challenging situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is a very significant connection. Once companies increase their investments in OSH, the rate of work accidents also decrease. This improves the overall companies’ safety performances, for sure.”
Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Manpower
During the launch of the National OSH month, Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Manpower, reminded that enterprises regarding three requiring components for good OSH performance: Commitment and leadership of the management, active engagement of workers and greater access to OSH advices. She also encourage enterprises to see the connection between investments in OSH and safety performances. “It is a very significant connection. Once companies increase their investments in OSH, the rate of work accidents also decrease. This improves the overall companies’ safety performances, for sure,” said the Minister Ida.Acknowledging the high number of work accidents, added Minister Ida, the Ministry of Manpower is going take some actions. The first action is the finalization of the National OSH programme for the period of 2021-2025. Still in the process of gaining the approval of the President of Indonesia, the programme acts as guidelines for the government and other relevant stakeholders in improving the quality of prevention, handling and control of work accidents in all sectors, including micro and small businesses.
People are increasingly connected to digital information anywhere and anytime that has brought implications to safety and health in the workplace. Therefore we need start focusing on the usage of the technology to the OSH practices and implementations.”
Abdul Hakim, ILO’s National Project Officer for Social Dialogue to Promote Decent Work and Business Sustainability
The second action is the labour inspection reform. The reform is not only limited to strengthening the integrity of the labour inspection, but also include renewing approaches in public development and services. In the context of OSH reform, a platform named https://temank3.id has been developed for all OSH stakeholders to be informed about developments of OSH in Indonesia covering public services, certification as well as improvements in quality and capability of individuals and companies in OSH.The third action is the commitment to reducing occupational accidents and occupational diseases in Indonesia through the Three Zeros: Zero Accident; Zero Violation of OSH; and Zero Penalty of OSH Enforcement.Congratulating the commitment of Indonesian government on OSH implementation, Abdul Hakim, ILO’s National Project Officer for Social Dialogue to Promote Decent Work and Business Sustainability, said that the three actions planned by the government could significantly contribute to a reduction in the number of work accidents in Indonesia and to widely promote OSH culture in the country.

Digital-based work as part of the future of work (c) ILO/B. Byambasuren

During the discussion at the Iskandar Muda University, Abdul explained about the importance of connecting OSH with the enhancement of technology driving the Revolution 4.0. “People are increasingly connected to digital information anywhere and anytime that has brought implications to safety and health in the workplace. Therefore we need start focusing on the usage of the technology to the OSH practices and implementations,” he said.Therefore, related to the future of work and OSH, he reminded the participants about the importance of examining and assessing occupational risks and hazards in sectors utilizing artificial intelligence, robots and digital platforms. “These three platforms are believed to pose new risks and dangers. In the context of digital platforms, we see the possibility of increasing psychosocial risks, digital security to cyberspace, aggression and attacks on privacy,” Abdul concluded.The support of the ILO was given through its Social Dialogue to Promote Decent Work and Business Sustainability project. The project aims to strengthen social dialogue among the tripartite constituents and its institutions at the national level as well as to strengthen bipartite mechanisms as means to enable businesses to operate safely and productively, and workers to have safe working environment.

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 […]