Lesunya Rekrutmen Tenaga Kerja di Kuartal I 2025, Apa Solusi Pemerintah? [Zona Bisnis]

Summary

In this interview, the Minister of Manpower, Yasirli, discusses the challenges and strategies to address the declining employment rates in Indonesia. Despite meeting investment targets in the first quarter of 2025, the country faces a sluggish job market, especially in the formal sector. The government is focusing on attracting labor-intensive investments, monitoring industrial zones for job growth, and promoting entrepreneurship. Minister Yasirli highlights the importance of collaboration with various ministries to create jobs, improve productivity, and ensure sustainable economic growth, while addressing global uncertainties and labor market shifts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The slow pace of business activities in Q1 2025 has impacted labor recruitment, leading to a sluggish job market.
• 😀 Despite meeting investment targets in Q1 2025, job creation has been limited, with only 594,000 new jobs created.
• 😀 The Indonesian government is focusing on ensuring that the country's demographic bonus is fully utilized within the domestic labor market.
• 😀 Investment, particularly in labor-intensive sectors, is a priority for the government, with efforts to attract diverse investments to Indonesia.
• 😀 The government is proactively monitoring industrial zones and economic areas as growth hubs for job creation and workforce absorption.
• 😀 A major strategy to address unemployment includes enhancing entrepreneurship through various programs and collaborations with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (UMKM).
• 😀 Collaboration between the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Science and Technology is focused on fostering entrepreneurship in universities.
• 😀 Data from BPS shows a declining trend in formal sector job creation, with a significant drop from 15.6 million jobs in 2019 to just 2 million in 2024.
• 😀 The government acknowledges the impact of COVID-19 on labor market trends but sees a positive growth trend in the overall workforce despite challenges.
• 😀 There has been an increase of around 4.4 million people in the workforce from 2023 to 2024, reflecting recovery and growth in employment.
• 😀 The government remains optimistic about future job creation, focusing on cross-ministry cooperation, particularly with the Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries, to create job opportunities.

Q & A

What was the main issue discussed in the first quarter of 2025 regarding the workforce?

The main issue discussed was the slow pace of business activities, which negatively impacted recruitment and job creation. Despite investments reaching their targets in the first quarter, job openings were limited to only around 594,000 people.

How is the government addressing the challenge of creating more job opportunities?

The government is addressing this challenge by proactively monitoring the growth of industrial zones and economic areas, which are seen as key centers for economic growth and job absorption. Additionally, there are efforts to boost entrepreneurship through training and collaborations with the Ministry of UMKM and universities.

What role does investment play in creating jobs, according to the Minister of Manpower?

Investment plays a critical role in attracting economic growth and job creation. The Minister emphasized that investments should be encouraged and aimed at sectors that can absorb the workforce, especially in labor-intensive industries.

Why does the government see industrial and economic zones as crucial for job creation?

Industrial and economic zones are seen as centers of economic growth where job creation can be maximized. These areas are expected to drive demand for labor, contributing significantly to job absorption.

What steps is the government taking to foster entrepreneurship among the youth?

The government is working with the Ministry of UMKM to implement entrepreneurship training programs. It is also collaborating with the Ministry of Higher Education to promote entrepreneurial spirit and education in universities.

What recent trends were observed in the formal sector's job creation, and what might explain these trends?

There has been a declining trend in job creation in the formal sector. For example, job absorption decreased from 15.6 million in 2014-2019 to just 2 million by 2024. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic rebounds, and shifts in industry types contribute to this trend.

How did the employment data in the 2023-2024 period compare to previous years?

In the 2023-2024 period, there was a slight increase in the workforce, with an addition of about 4.4 million workers, bringing the total workforce from 52 million to 56 million. The Minister highlighted that while there are challenges like layoffs, the industrial sector has been growing.

What are the government's concerns for the future of job creation beyond the immediate recovery from COVID-19?

The government is concerned about future uncertainties such as tariff wars, global instability, and layoffs, all of which could affect job creation. There is a focus on preparing better mitigation strategies to tackle these issues.

How does the President's program align with the job creation strategy?

The President's program focuses on three main objectives: directing investments towards job creation, improving productivity, and encouraging downstream industries. These priorities are designed to ensure sustainable and inclusive job growth.

What role do cross-ministry collaborations play in enhancing job creation efforts?

Cross-ministry collaborations are crucial in addressing job creation comprehensively. The Ministry of Manpower has worked with other ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to ensure a holistic approach to workforce development and job creation.