Jakarta – The Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSBSI), in collaboration with ACV-CSCI Asia, held a seminar on Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD). The theme was “Dynamics of Fulfilling Workers’ Rights in Business Accountability.” The event took place on the sidelines of the 2025 KSBSI National Coordination Meeting in Jakarta on Thursday (August 14, 2025).
This HRDD dialogue focused on the long road to implementing human rights fulfillment in Indonesia.
Maria Emeninta, ACV-CSCI Asia Regional Coordinator, said that the Indonesian government through the National Strategy has issued a 2024 work Matrix, the contents of which design practical guidelines or policies (Empowering people with disabilities in business practices to implement respect for human rights in business practices) and encouraging business actors to develop policies on protecting and respecting human rights, encouraging the preparation of internal company regulations/policies regarding the protection of workers, children, women, indigenous peoples with disabilities, and life circumstances.
“However, it’s unfortunate that labor unions have never been involved, even though KSBSI has held audiences and sent official letters,” she explained.
KSBSI has also pioneered efforts to uphold human rights by declaring that labor rights are human rights. KSBSI, along with ACV/CSCi Asia under the ITUC, has been exploring the importance of strengthening HRDD issues since 2010 (a precursor to John Ruggy’s principles in 2011). ACV/CSCi also held a seminar on HRDD initiatives in Bangkok in 2018. KSBSI held a HRDD seminar and workshop before the KSBSI Congress in July 2023, and ACV/CSCi/KSBSI and ITUC AP held the Pre-ILC and HRDD session in Ashley in April 2024.
KSBSI President, Elly Rosita Silaban, added that it is important to understand HRDD issues and design a pattern for strengthening their implementation at each level.
“It’s important to reach agreement at the company level. At the national, regional, and international levels, it’s necessary to establish a media network to learn from each other and share ideas and experiences. Then, strengthen policies and implementation in the workplace. KSBSI will initiate this, at least at the national level. Its partner, ACVCSCi, is ready to facilitate it at the Asian level,” said Elly.
Siti Fajar Ningrum, Director of Human Rights Services and Compliance, Directorate of Human Rights Compliance for Society, Communities, and Business Actors, Ministry of Human Rights, took the opportunity to discuss the Indonesian government’s strategy for strengthening human rights compliance in the business sector.
The Ministry of Human Rights’ strategy for Promoting Business and Human Rights (Strengthening Compliance), including Presidential Regulation 60/2023 concerning the National Strategy for Human Rights and Human Rights (Strengthening Compliance), will expire this year. To avoid a legal vacuum, the Directorate General of Human Rights Services and Compliance, cq. The Directorate of Human Rights Compliance for Society, Communities, and Business Actors has implemented several strategies to improve human rights compliance for businesses through PRISMA. These strategies include issuing a circular letter on PRISMA, a PRISMA Participation Letter, and a PRISMA Call Center. Aggressive outreach and technical guidance programs for businesses and regional offices, both online and offline, are being implemented.
The HRDD Dialogue agenda also featured speakers from the ILO, who presented on Decent Work, International Labor Standards, the MNE Declaration, Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), and the Role of Trade Unions in HRDD Implementation, presented by Tauvik Muhamad, RISSC Project Coordinator (Indonesia), ILO Jakarta. Furthermore, Myra M. Hanartani (DPN APINDO) presented a speaker from the employer sector on the Business World’s perspective on the Implementation of Human Rights in the Workplace.
At the end of the final session, a question-and-answer session was held, and participants at the 2025 KSBSI National Coordination Meeting were enthusiastic about discussing HRDD. (RED/Handi)
