APINDO West Kalimantan Calls for Balanced Labor Regulations to Protect Workers and Businesses
Saturday, 31 October 2026
PONTIANAK – Uray Emma Yaniaries, Secretary of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) West Kalimantan, has called for the implementation of labor regulations that protect workers while ensuring the sustainability of businesses.
Such a balance is considered essential to creating a healthy investment climate and expanding employment opportunities in West Kalimantan.
Emma said labor protection should not focus solely on fulfilling workers' rights, but must also take into account legal certainty and the ability of businesses to continue growing.
“Worker protection must go hand in hand with the expansion of employment opportunities. We need fair regulations, legal certainty for businesses, and guarantees of workers' rights to encourage investment growth and create more jobs,” Emma said in a statement on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
According to Emma, one important issue requiring attention is the implementation of fair wage policies. Wage policies must improve workers' welfare without undermining corporate competitiveness.
“Fair wages are not merely about improving workers' welfare; they are also an important instrument for maintaining the competitiveness of our businesses amid economic challenges,” Emma said.
In addition to wage-related issues, APINDO also highlighted several labor provisions, including Fixed-Term Employment Agreements (PKWT), outsourcing arrangements, severance pay mechanisms, and employment termination (PHK).
Emma emphasized that clear regulations are necessary to prevent differences in interpretation and potential legal disputes between workers and companies.
“Creating a conducive business climate through legal certainty will significantly reduce the risk of disputes. Clear and implementable regulations are essential to ensure that severance pay and employment termination mechanisms are fair to both workers and businesses,” said Emma, who also serves as Chairperson of the West Kalimantan Regional Board of the Indonesian Nationalist Student Movement Alumni Association (PA GMNI).
Meanwhile, in her capacity as President Director of the Kubu Raya Regency-owned enterprise Aneka Usaha Menanjak Bahagia (AUMB), Emma views improving human resource (HR) quality as an important component of supporting regional economic growth under the leadership of Kubu Raya Regent Sujiwo.
She said workforce competency development must go hand in hand with efforts to create new employment opportunities. This would enable local workers with relevant skills to meet the evolving needs of the industrial sector.
“Improving human resource quality is absolutely essential to achieving higher productivity. Through constructive tripartite dialogue, we can establish harmonious industrial relations. Ultimately, businesses will become more competitive, workers will enjoy greater welfare, and Indonesia will continue to advance,” Emma concluded.
She expressed hope that communication among the government, employers, and workers would continue to be strengthened to ensure that labor policies are implemented effectively and deliver benefits for economic growth and employment expansion in West Kalimantan.
