Indonesia Aims to Reduce Workforce Gender Gap to 25%

Jakarta – The Manpower Ministry (Kemnaker) is working to ensure that Indonesia decreases its workforce gender disparity rate by 25% as a way of meeting the standards stipulated within the Brisbane Target agreed by G20 nations during the 2014 G20 Summit in Australia. 

The Kemnaker says it is optimistic Indonesia can fulfill this target by the written deadline of 2025. 

Kemnaker secretary general Anwar Sanusi revealed at the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) virtual meeting on Wednesday (17/2) that the gender gap in Indonesia’s workforce is currently at 29.28% in 2020.  

“To fulfill the conditions of the Brisbane Target, we are optimistic that Indonesia will be able to reduce the gender gap ratio to 25% by 2025,” Anwar said through a written statement. 

Part of the Kemnaker’s efforts to meet those requirements include providing better access to training programs, funding support, business guidance, adequate social benefits and protection schemes and improving the working environment for workers outside of the general workforce, specifically domestic helpers. 

“We believe that these efforts will help increase the number of workers in the workforce, both male and female, as well as help reduce the gender gap,” Anwar explained. 

Anwar also noted that the Indonesian government agrees completely with the issue of proper social benefits and protections provision raised during the summit by former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. He reiterates that such social support is key towards maintaining a stable workforce and fostering economic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Meanwhile, the Indonesian government is also focusing on improving access to healthcare services and skill building programs as a way of enhancing its social benefits distribution efforts to the public during the pandemic. 

To smoothen the social efforts, Indonesia passed the Omnibus job creation law no. 11/2020. This law allows the reformation of current worker social protection programs and investment requirements to help improve the welfare of the workforce. 

Aside from the G20 nations, the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) virtual meeting was also attended by several observer nations such as Spain, Singapore, Rwanda, Brunei, DR Congo and Nepal, who provided insight on how they tackled workforce challenges in their countries. 

The goal of the EWG was to discuss challenges and provide solutions related to workforce welfare, specifically regarding gender disparity and worker benefits. 

We are open to your suggestions and ideas related to Indonesia’s social and industrial development that can be used for the government’s future policymaking efforts. Send us your opinions and ideas through Indonesia Development Forum’s official website and social media pages!