Independence Day: Freedom Loses Meaning Without Job Creation
Aspirasi believes that the Independence Day celebration must be realized through decent jobs, fair wages, employment security, and prosperous future.
The Association of All Indonesian Workers Unions (Aspirasi) believes that Independence Day should be celebrated through decent jobs, fair wages, employment security, social protection, and a prosperous future for all Indonesians. They argue that independence should not be a hollow ceremony, but a conscious effort towards the nation's constitution's ideals of protecting the nation, advancing public welfare, and creating social justice for all.
On the 81st commemoration of Indonesia's independence, Aspirasi President Mirah Sumirat called on the government to take immediate action to stop mass layoffs and protect workers.
In the first five months of 2026, the Social Security Agency for Health (BPJS Kesehatan) recorded around 87,000 workers filing for Old-Age Security claims due to layoffs. The Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) reported 126,000 layoffs during the same period, significantly higher than the Manpower Ministry's records of 23,470. Mirah emphasized that economic pressures and industrial shifts should not be allowed to jeopardize laborers.
Aspirasi urged the government to enhance labor supervision, promote social dialogue between the government, employers, and labor unions, and ensure transparency in company policy implementation affecting workers. They emphasized that independence should not be exclusive to those with capital and power; rather, it should be felt in every factory, office, market, village, and home of Indonesian workers.
In the same statement, Aspirasi called for the passage of the Asset Seizure Bill, arguing that corruption not only robs state funds and people's rights but also hinders investment and job creation. They explained that corrupt practices increase economic costs, create uncertainty, undermine legal certainty, and ultimately diminish businesses' and investors' confidence in Indonesia's investment climate.
Mirah stressed that sound and quality investment is essential for job creation, and without law enforcement and a corruption crackdown, achieving business and investor confidence in the country is unattainable.
Mirah concluded that eradicating corruption should be a crucial part of the government's strategy for building the economy and creating jobs. The state must possess strong legal instruments to pursue and seize assets obtained from crime. Furthermore, Mirah urged the government to create and expand quality job opportunities, stating that independence would lose its meaning if people continued to struggle with employment.
The government must prioritize ensuring decent, productive, and sustainable formal jobs, providing future security for workers, instead of merely focusing on economic growth.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
