Batam Manpower Office Ready to Implement Age Limit Removal Policy, APINDO Urges Caution
Monday, 12 May 2025
Batam – The Batam City Manpower Office (Disnaker) has expressed its readiness to implement the proposed policy eliminating age limits in job recruitment, provided that the central government establishes a clear legal framework. However, business leaders are urging the government to proceed with caution in formulating such a significant policy.
Head of the Batam Manpower Office, Rudi Sakyakirti, stated that his agency has no objection to the policy as long as it is backed by formal regulation.
“There must be a Ministerial Regulation (Permenaker), and we are prepared to enforce it once it's officially in place. In principle, we support it, but there must be a legal basis—whether in the form of a ministerial regulation or other official policy,” Rudi said on Monday (May 12).
He emphasized that a policy of such magnitude cannot remain a mere proposal; it requires written regulation to ensure effective implementation at the regional level. He also stressed the importance of legal certainty for both job seekers and employers.
From the business perspective, Batam APINDO Chairman Rafky Rasid argued that the proposal must be thoroughly studied and should not be seen as a blanket solution to unemployment.
“There’s no issue if the government wants to regulate that job advertisements shouldn't include age requirements. But I disagree with the notion that age restrictions are the main barrier to employment,” Rafky said.
He cited data indicating that the highest unemployment rates are among younger age groups, particularly those aged 18 to 25—the very demographic most often targeted in job postings.
“Unemployment among those over 30 or 40 is relatively low. We must be careful not to let assumptions override data,” he added.
Rafky also questioned the policy’s effectiveness. Even if age limits are removed from job postings, he noted, companies will still have the discretion to select candidates based on their own qualifications.
“Employers might omit age requirements in job ads, but when reviewing resumes, they may choose not to proceed with candidates whose age they deem unsuitable. That’s their prerogative. The government cannot interfere to that extent,” he asserted.
He stressed that labor needs vary widely depending on the nature and structure of each business. Overreaching government intervention, he warned, could backfire—especially when it comes to investor confidence.
“We understand the government’s good intentions, but such a policy must be evaluated for its effectiveness. If it ends up being a policy that’s hard to implement in practice, it’s better to let businesses recruit based on their operational needs. The government must also consider how foreign investors will react. Excessive interference in corporate affairs may deter investment,” Rafky concluded.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, voiced his intent to eliminate age-based discrimination in hiring. The proposal was supported by Deputy Minister Immanuel Ebenezer, who argued that age limits in job listings have made it increasingly difficult for individuals over 40 to find employment.
The central government is currently reviewing the appropriate regulatory mechanism for the policy—whether through government regulation or amendments to the existing Labor Law.
Source: metro.batampos.co.id
