Governments take action to safeguard human rights in the business sector

The Indonesian government’s commitment to protecting human rights in the business sector has reached a new milestone with the issuance of Presidential Regulation Number 60 of 2023 on the National Strategy on Business and Human Rights. This regulation marks a significant step towards empowering people and workers to stand up for their rights against corporations.

In response to the regulation, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has initiated the formation of special task forces at both the national and regional levels to monitor business activities. These task forces, chaired by Minister Yasona H. Laoly and provincial governors respectively, aim to enforce compliance with human rights standards in the business environment.

While the regulation is currently voluntary, with only 31 companies meeting the requirements for human rights protection facilities, there is still progress to be made in ensuring full compliance across all sectors. The involvement of labor unions in the task force is seen as crucial in identifying and addressing human rights violations within companies.

Efforts to disseminate information about the regulation are key to increasing awareness and compliance among businesses. Drawing inspiration from countries like Japan, where high-level awareness of human rights protection has led to economic progress, Indonesia aims to follow suit by encouraging companies to prioritize the rights of their employees and communities.

Overall, the presidential regulation serves as a unifying tool to align the interests of the government, companies, and workers in promoting a business environment that upholds human rights. By fostering mutual loyalty and collaboration, all parties can work together towards building a more just and sustainable economy in Indonesia.