Prabowo Prays for Workers' Welfare, TKN Prepares Competency Improvement Program

Increasing competency is the most important aspect for improving worker welfare. That's another promise from Prabowo's team.

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Workers demand their rights during the commemoration of International Workers' Day or May Day, on Wednesday (1/5/2024), around the Arjuna Wijaya Statue near the National Monument in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The elected president for 2024-2029, Prabowo Subianto, hopes that Indonesian workers will become more prosperous and united. The solidarity of workers is also recognized to play an important role in realizing Indonesia's Golden Dream in 2045. Meanwhile, for the next five years, his government which is going to be formed will prioritize improving workers' competencies.

This was conveyed by Prabowo in commemoration of World Labor Day which falls on Wednesday (1/5/2024). Through an official video statement received by Kompas, this Wednesday, Prabowo wished all Indonesian workers a happy Labor Day. He hopes that Indonesian workers will become more prosperous.

"I, Prabowo Subianto, congratulate the National Labor Day on May 1, 2024. Hopefully, all workers in Indonesia and the greater labor family will continue to progress, become more prosperous, and be more united in order to strive towards Indonesia Emas," said Prabowo.

Also read: Investigating Prabowo-Gibran's Promise for Workers' Welfare

He added that the solidarity of laborers is also important in achieving Indonesia Emas target by 2045. Therefore, Prabowo invites this group to participate in building the future of the nation together with the general public.

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Prabowo Subianto (center) was singing along with the workers when attending the 20th anniversary of the Metal Workers Federation of Indonesia at Sport Mall Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Wednesday (1/6/2019).

"Let us build a better future for all citizens of Indonesia, all workers, all laborers, and their families, so that our children and grandchildren can experience an even greater Golden Indonesia," said Prabowo.

May all workers in Indonesia and the large labor community continue to advance, become more prosperous, and come together unitedly to strive towards a Golden Indonesia.

Workers sleep peacefully is a promise

Improving the welfare of workers is one of Prabowo's political promises when competing in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres). In the vision and mission document of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, it is written in the opening section that the winning pair of the 2024 Pilpres want all workers to be able to sleep soundly because they receive sufficient income.

However, it is not directly mentioned in the vision or mission of Prabowo-Gibran. Commitment to labor appears in the eight Asta Cita programs, specifically point six, which aims to build from the village and from the bottom for economic equality and poverty reduction.

One of the solutions that will be realized is through economic redistribution. Among the 14 economic redistribution strategies mentioned, one of them is to increase the purchasing power of laborers and provide basic needs to improve their welfare.

Promises to labor groups also appeared in the fourth Asta Cita program, namely strengthening human resources development, science, technology, education, health, sports achievements, gender equality, as well as strengthening the roles of women, youth, and people with disabilities. In this point, Prabowo-Gibran promised to strengthen education, science, and technology. One way is by providing scholarships for the sons and daughters of farmers, fishermen, teachers, and laborers to continue their education up to the S-1 to S-3 level.

Increased competency

Contacted separately, Deputy Chairman of the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN), Afriansyah Noor, did not deny that improving the welfare of workers is one of the promises of the candidate pair's campaign. The government has already made efforts to improve the welfare of workers, so Prabowo-Gibran will continue and strengthen these efforts with various measures, including increasing competency.

Also read: President: Workers are Heroes

"(We will) improve the skills and competencies of workers or laborers so that (they can) get good added value," said Afriansyah, who currently serves as Deputy Minister of Manpower.

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Afriansyah Noor

According to him, improving the competence of workers is a fundamental step that needs to be taken amid technological advances. Currently, industrial activities are already using advanced tools with digital systems that require specific skills. Therefore, mastery of related competencies will affect the productivity and contribution of workers to the company.

He continued that the improvement of worker competency will be carried out by various parties, from the government, business owners, to labor unions. According to the plan, various forms of training will be created that are aligned with the needs of the industry.

"We (as) the government, employers, workers and labor unions will create training that is integrated with the skills needed by companies," said Afriansyah.

Also read: Prabowo Greets Thousands of Workers

Not only competence, said Afriansyah, the government is also committed to improving protection for workers in the future. However, he did not explain the details regarding this matter. According to Afriansyah, the issue of protection will occur simultaneously with the improvement of competence.

"That way, (increasing competency) goes hand in hand with increasing protection, both health and everything related to workers," said Afriansyah.