APINDO South Sumatra Chair Sumarjono Saragih: Dialogue Between Workers and Employers Is Key to Worker Protection
Wednesday, 11 June 2025
PALEMBANG – Chairman of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (APINDO) South Sumatra, Sumarjono Saragih, emphasized that open and constructive dialogue between workers and employers is the cornerstone of effective worker protection.
He delivered the statement during the Regional Congress (Musyawarah Daerah, MUSDA) of the South Sumatra chapter of SPSI SP KEP (Federation of Chemical, Energy and Mining Workers Unions), chaired by Abdullah Anang.
According to Sumarjono, many labor-related challenges can be resolved through genuine communication.
“Dialogue fosters strong and trust-based relationships. It not only helps resolve various issues but also lays the foundation for joint action—boosting productivity and driving collaborative initiatives for the common good,” he told the audience of over 150 participants at the Swarna Dwipa Hotel, Palembang, on June 11, 2025.
He cited his own experience as Chair of the National Palm Oil Employers Association (GAPKI), particularly the success of constructive engagement between GAPKI and JAPBUSI (the Indonesian Palm Oil Workers Network) in late 2024. This collaboration led to a joint labor-employer mission to the European Union for palm oil diplomacy.
“The collaboration demonstrated that a healthy industrial relations climate can lead to strategic achievements at both national and international levels. Our joint diplomacy efforts earned positive recognition in the EU,” he noted.
Sumarjono encouraged all labor and business stakeholders in South Sumatra to cultivate a culture of dialogue in navigating workplace dynamics.
“If we sit together with good intentions, there is no problem we can’t solve,” he concluded.
SPSI SP KEP Chair Abdullah Anang echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the value of sustained partnership.
“We view APINDO South Sumatra as our partner. We prioritize dialogue, and over the decades, it has proven to be the most effective approach,” said Anang.
The MUSDA, an internal congress of the SPSI SP KEP organization, was attended by various stakeholder organizations and officially opened by South Sumatra Provincial Secretary Edward Chandra. The event included the election of new leadership and served as a strategic moment to reinforce synergy between labor unions and employers in addressing future labor challenges—supporting the broader vision of “Advancing South Sumatra for All.”
Sumber: radarpalembang.bacakoran.co
