RESEARCH
establish appropriate programs to support the learning process for students with disabilities
and vocational high schools, improve the quality of educators so that the quality of learning
received does not decrease and still attracts students to follow the learning process
effectively so it would not the burdens for the parents as companions during the learning
process.
2.5. SDG 8: Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive
Employment and Decent Work for All
The right to work, protection of workers’ rights, and safety at work are some of the
challenges that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are all closely related
to Goal SDG 8. Until August 2020, Statistics Indonesia recorded an unemployment rate of
7.07% (an increase of 1.84% compared to August 2019 data), which is directly proportional
to an increase of 4.59% in the number of informal workers to 60.47%.107
In that regard, Komnas HAM RI has recommended the government to provide protection
for laborers and workers. Komnas HAM RI also recommends the importance of protecting
Indonesian Migrant Workers (Pekerja Migran Indonesia/PMI).108
Komnas HAM RI monitored several issues related to the protection of laborers and workers,
namely neglecting workers’ rights such as unilateral employment termination (PHK),
severance pay that are detrimental to workers, and workplace safety from the COVID-19
virus.109 Another issue highlighted by Komnas HAM RI is the limited social protection for
workers, especially informal workers and workers’ rights in the health sector, such as
doctors and nurses.110
Although the Ministry of Manpower had issued a Circular of the Minister of Manpower
Number M/3/HK.04/III/2020 of 2020 on Protection of Workers/Laborers and Business
Continuity in the Context of Prevention and Control of COVID-19 until October 2020, there
were 5.6 million people who were fired and being laid off.111 The data above is in line with
the 2020 complaint report of KOMNAS HAM RI, where violations of workers’ rights were
mostly committed by companies, with a total of 52 cases reported. Most of the complaints
were related to the wage payment and unilateral layoffs.112
Apart from the layoffs, many workplaces are still imposing the workers to keep on working
107
“[REVISION per 18/02/2021] August 2020: Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka (TPT) sebesar
7,07 persen”, Badan Pusat Statistik, published on 5 November 2020, https://www.bps.go.id/
pressrelease/2020/11/05/1673/agustus-2020--tingkat-pengangguran-terbuka--tpt--sebesar-7-07-persen.
html.
108
Ibid., Tata Kelola Penanggulangan COVID-19 dalam Perspektif HAM (n.6), 69.
109
Ibid., Tata Kelola Penanggulangan COVID-19 dalam Perspektif HAM (n.6), 74.
110
Ibid., Tata Kelola Penanggulangan COVID-19 dalam Perspektif HAM (n.6), 75.
111
112
“Total 5,6 Juta Tenaga Telah Di-PHK atau Dirumahkan”, Sindonews.com, published on 27 October
2020,
https://ekbis.sindonews.com/read/210522/34/total-56-juta-tenaga-kerja-telah-di-phk-ataudirumahkan-1603786256. Also: https://kemnaker.go.id/news/detail/pemerintah-antisipasi-penambahanpengangguran-di-masa-pandemi-covid-19.
Ibid., Laporan Data Pengaduan, (n. 17).
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