"A study conducted by the ILO (International Labor Organization) in 2021 in 133 countries showed that trade unions collaborate with governments and employers through social dialogue to formulate policies, both at national and international levels, for strengthening workers' capacities when a crisis hits as well as for developing long-term strategies to overcome the impact of the crisis," Amin said in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Friday.
He made the statement while attending an event held to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Confederation of Indonesian Muslim Workers' Unions (K-Sarbumusi).
The commemoration was also attended by Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziyah, and Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
"The social dialogue mandated by the ILO is actually in line with NU's way of thinking. Social dialogue will support social cohesion, which will contribute to the functioning of the economy to improve people's welfare, especially workers. This is also what NU wants, namely goodness and improvement for the people, nation, and state," he explained.
The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) adheres to the notion of ahlussunah wal jama’ah, or the middle path, according to the Vice President.
"This is the identity of Nahdliyin, struggle for the improvement of the people," he said.
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On its 67th anniversary, Amin lauded the work done by K-Sarbumusi as an autonomous NU body since 1955.
K-Sarbumusi is one of the five largest workers' organizations in Indonesia, with hundreds of thousands of members. This has become important capital for K-Sarbumusi to become a driving force for the transformation of workers, he said.
According to Amin, Islamic teachings are meant to support the fight for people's rights.
"As part of Nahdlatul Ulama, we continue to use NU methods. The NU methods are kind words, noble words, polite speeches. We use those methods. We use social dialogue in a good way. I am sure Sarbumusi will be a pioneer for improvement," he explained.
Amin also praised Parawansa over the declining unemployment rate in East Java.
"Because unemployment here (East Java) is lower than the national one. The national unemployment rate is 5.8 and East Java is 4.8; so it is below the national level, we have to suppress it again," he said.
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Translator: Desca L, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
