Jakarta (ANTARA) - Manpower Minister Yassierli has underlined the need to increase national productivity to boost Indonesia’s competitiveness amid increasingly fierce global competition.

“We cannot continue to rely on the number of workers and capital investment. If we want to make a leap forward, we must boost productivity through innovation and efficiency. This must be a national, cross-sectoral movement,” he said in an official statement received here on Tuesday.

He emphasized that the productivity of Indonesian labor needs to be systematically increased.

Although Indonesia’s growth rate is starting to match that of Malaysia and Thailand, its total factor productivity (TFP), which reflects efficiency, innovation, and technology utilization, is still lower compared to countries such as China, Vietnam, and India, he said.

As an initial step, the minister revealed that the productivity improvement movement will focus on one thousand medium-sized companies.

This group is considered to play a significant role in labor absorption, but still faces challenges in terms of technological modernization and access to innovation.

“They are the backbone of the national economy, but productivity policies have not fully touched them. We want to help them move up a level,” Yassierli said.

As part of the productivity improvement movement, the Ministry of Manpower will prepare 500 productivity specialists from labor unions, employers, and the government.

Participants will undergo internationally certified training, held in collaboration with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP).

The training, which will run from August to October 2025, will include theoretical training, fieldwork, and the implementation of productivity improvement projects in the workplace.

In addition, to strengthen the productivity ecosystem, the ministry will launch supporting initiatives such as the Productivity Talks podcast, pocket books, and productivity calculators.

It will also set up five productivity centers at vocational training centers, special economic zones, and universities.

“If we seriously build a culture of productivity now, we can break through the stagnation barrier. This is not just a workforce strategy, but a major strategy for the nation’s future,” Yassierli said.

Related news: Indonesia prioritizes workforce quality for global competitiveness

Related news: Indonesia keen to boost halal products' competitiveness in Australia

Related news: Bappenas, ministry to boost trade competitiveness