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The minister referred to trade unions as key partners in ensuring workers’ rights through healthy industrial relations, while urging a shift towards more collaborative and productive engagement.
Yassierli, Minister of Manpower, Indonesia has emphasised that trade unions are not enemies of companies, but strategic partners in protecting workers’ rights while supporting business continuity.
The statement was made during the signing of the 16th Collective Labour Agreement (Perjanjian Kerja Bersama, known as PKB) between the management of Bridgestone Tire Indonesia and the Bridgestone Workers Union in Karawang, West Java, on Thursday, 16 April 2026.
According to Minister Yassierli, labour unions are an important instrument to ensure that workers’ rights guaranteed by the state are fulfilled through healthy industrial relations and constructive dialogue.
He added that the presence of labour unions is not to disrupt companies, but to ensure that the fundamental rights of workers are upheld through conducive dialogue between employers and employees.
To that effect, he affirmed that industrial relations should not only be harmonious, but also collaborative and transformative. He said this requires workers and companies to share a common vision to increase productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
He further noted: "We want industrial relations to rise to the level, not only harmonious, but also proactive and transformative, where workers and companies have a shared vision to increase competitiveness.”
As such, he said, the signing of a collective labour agreement is seen as a crucial moment to strengthen collaboration between companies and workers. It also supports efforts to create a work environment that is more productive, inclusive, and sustainable.
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Lead image / Ministry of Manpower of Indonesia
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