Regional Coordinator of Belgian Trade Unions and Partners Discusses Decent Work Issues in Southeast Asia at the Event Reception on the Visit of University of Antwerp

ACV-CSCIASIA.ORG, JAKARTA – Employment conditions, especially in Southeast Asia, still show a deficit of decent work. This can be seen from the absence of decent work opportunities, inadequate social protection, non-fulfillment of rights in the workplace and lack of social dialogue.​

“In Southeast Asia, 172 million people are unemployed, a third are less than 25 years old, 780 million people live on less than 33,000 per day and 73% of society is not covered by social protection.” said Bismo Sanyoto at a reception for the visit of students from the University of Antwerp on Tuesday (16/07/2024) at the Residence of the Kingdom of Belgium, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

The agenda for reception on the visit of University of Antwerp is within the framework of the Summer School Program in Indonesia. A total of more than 36 students and their entourage were greeted directly with welcome and introductions from the Belgium Embassy, ​​Namely, Mrs. Anne Coutteel, Head of Mission of the Belgium Embassy. Then filled with welcoming remarks from the representative of the University of Antwerp, namely Prof. Peter Verhezen.

The representatives of the Belgium trade union regional coordinator are Bismo Sanyoto, WSM Asia Coordinator. Maria Ememninta, ACV-CSCi Asia Coordinator. Darlina Lumban Toruan,
The IFSI-ISVI Project Coordinator on this occasion explained the issue of the Decent Work agenda in Southeast Asia with the theme “Labor Rights: Challenges and Trade Unions in Indonesia and Southeast Asia”.

Data shows that workers in poor countries tend to work more hours than workers in rich countries, because their productivity is low, so they have to work too much and are unable to take the time to improve their conditions, get a better education, and enjoy leisure time .​

Therefore, finding ways to increase productivity is not only the key to increasing production, but also to reducing working hours. The working poor are people who work and live in households that are below the poverty line. These people work but are unable to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. This is different from people in developed countries where poverty is often seen as unemployment

The 4 pillars of the Decent Work agenda are creating decent and productive jobs, guaranteeing rights in the workplace, guaranteeing and expanding social protection, promoting social dialogue.

So what needs to be encouraged in realizing Decent Work includes the creation of productive jobs, with sufficient income to meet family needs, which complies with workers’ rights, as defined by ILO Conventions and Recommendations as well as national labor laws and regulations.

Contribute to the development of people’s work capacity, by paying attention to workers’ rights, environmental sustainability and social progress. Increase employers’ awareness of workers’ rights. Provide support for workers to join trade unions, collective health organizations or social protection schemes.

For this reason, it is necessary to collaborate with labor stakeholders to achieve the above points through the implementation and expansion of labor rights as defined by ILO Conventions & Recommendations as well as national labor laws and regulations.

By paying attention to binding regulations such as principles and basic rights in the workplace. Ratified Conventions (and Recommendations). Employment law​. Collective Labor Agreement

Maria Emeninta, Regional Coordinator of ACV-CSCI Asia, said that initiatives that Belgian labor unions and their partners could develop include implementing national labor laws – including written contracts, decent wages, safe and healthy working environments, the right to rest and holidays, maximum working hours 8 hours/day or 48 hours/month, paid leave, maternity, covered by social security​.

Develop and implement staff policies that comply with labor laws and national or sectoral bargaining agreements. Apply national labor laws in relation to workers’ social security schemes, such as injury insurance, health insurance, maternity benefits and pension funds.

Encourage employees to create solidarity funds. Encourage employees to participate in social protection expansion campaigns.

All negotiations and conflict resolution between workers and employers at local, regional, company and sectoral levels, at the national tripartite level (with government involvement) and at the global level (within the ILO). ​

Social dialogue is an instrument for defending and expanding workers’ rights (including the right to social protection). In social dialogue, only trade unions are given the mandate to represent workers in collective bargaining at company, sectoral, bipartite and tripartite (national and international levels). ​

Meanwhile, Darlina Lumbantoruan​ as ISFI Project Coordinator added that it could also be possible to facilitate relations between worker and non-union umbrella organizations and trade unions on issues that require negotiation with public authorities.

Promote networking between workers’ organizations by encouraging target groups to participate through trade unions in social dialogue and its preparation.