The announcement was made during the commemoration of International Labor Day (May Day) held at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Thursday.
"As a gift for all of you, I will immediately form the National Labor Welfare Council," the president stated before thousands of workers in attendance.
He noted that the council will include labor representatives from across Indonesia.
He remarked that the council will provide recommendations to the president on improvements to laws and regulations that are seen as unfavorable to workers.
The head of state also reaffirmed his support for the proposal to eliminate outsourcing, a major concern raised by workers.
Prabowo remarked that the Labor Welfare Council will conduct an in-depth study on the transition process for eliminating outsourcing while considering the investment climate.
"We want to eliminate outsourcing. However, we must also be realistic. We must also protect the interests of investors. If they do not invest, there will be no factories, and workers cannot get to work," he explained.
Additionally, Prabowo announced the formation of a Layoff Task Force to address unilateral terminations of employment and to accelerate discussions on the Domestic Workers Protection Bill and the Maritime and Fisheries Sector Protection Bill.
Prabowo emphasized that the state will not remain silent in the face of injustice against workers.
"If necessary, the state will intervene," he asserted.
His remarks were met with enthusiasm from labor union leaders, including Said Iqbal and Jumhur Hidayat, who were also present at the May Day event.
According to an official statement from one of the labor unions, the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), the workers raised six demands during this year's Labor Day commemoration: elimination of the outsourcing system, formation of a Layoff Task Force, the realization of living wage, protection for workers by passing a new Manpower Bill, domestic workers' protection through ratification of the PPRT Bill, and eradication of corruption by passing the Asset Confiscation Bill.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus/Genta Tenri, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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