Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah called on stakeholders in the employment sector, including employees and employers, to implement labor norms, especially those related to work safety and health.

"All norms must be implemented by employers or employees to achieve social justice and well-being that ensure business continuity and protection of workers," Fauziyah stated in the virtual discussion on work safety and health implementation organized by the ministry and observed here Thursday.

She emphasized that some labor norms -- wage, social assistance, and work safety and health norms -- should be implemented and observed by stakeholders.

The minister also lauded discussion sessions organized through hybrid means to disseminate information and enhance public knowledge on employment norms and their implementation.

Collaboration between stakeholders in the employment sector is essential to maintain progress made to reverse the economic decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, she noted.

"Despite the pandemic not officially being declared over, conditions of our employment sector have been far improving than that during the pandemic peak," Fauziyah stated.

She cited the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data while stating that Indonesia's open unemployment rate as of February 2022 had reached 5.83 percent, declining by 0.34 percent from last year.

"Our success to improve our economic conditions and the employment sector during the pandemic had been achieved through collaborative and innovative works that we all exerted," the minister stated.

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Innovation will remain essential as the pandemic has caused disruption to various aspects of life, including employment, and left people with no choice but to adjust to new changes faster, she added.

Earlier, the minister had urged more companies to implement the Work Safety and Health Management System (SMK3) to protect workers and enhance work productivity.

“The implementation of SMK3 is essential to bolster the effectiveness of work health and safety. SMK3 implementation will benefit companies, including (allowing them to) study companies’ adherence level to relevant laws on workplace safety and health,” Fauziyah stated while opening a virtual discussion on SMK3 implementation that was followed online from here on Monday (August 22).

She believes that the implementation of workplace safety and health guidelines could also boost the company's productivity, reduce accidents in the workplace, and bolster the company's image.

Related news: K3 norms crucial for business continuity ahead of endemic: Ministry

Translator: Prisca Triferna V, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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