14 February 2025
In the context of the 2025 OECD Due Diligence Forum in the Garment and Footwear Sector, the Global Deal held a side event putting a spotlight on recent initiatives in Indonesia aimed at better protecting women workers in the export garment industry, with more than 450 participants joining the online event.
The Indonesian export garment sector employs an estimated 5 million workers, more than 80% of whom are women. While factories have taken significant steps to promote gender equality—such as adopting comprehensive gender equity policies— challenges remain in ensuring both mental and physical safety for women. Against this backdrop, the event emphasized the critical role of social partners to strengthen due diligence measures and prevent human and labour rights abuses, assessing risks, implementing effective policies, and mitigating adverse impacts.
Key Themes
The side event brought together experts representing the government, social partners, global programmes and civil society. Building on the Global Deal tool Enabling effective due diligence on human rights risks through social dialogue, developed during the 2022–23 Global Deal focus group on Human Rights Due Diligence, the session addressed:
- Legislative and Policy Developments:
- An overview of Indonesia’s Sexual Harassment Act, adopted in 2022 and Decree No. 88 of 2023, which sets guidelines for the prevention and response to sexual harassment in the workplace.
- The Ministry of Manpower’s strategies to support factories in addressing sexual harassment, including the establishment of bipartite Sexual Harassment Task Forces.
- The Importance of Capacity-Building:
- Insights from the Better Work Indonesia Programme on the implementation of the Respectful Workplace Program (RWP), which has trained 610 representatives from management, workers and unions in 150 factories so far. Started in 2018, RWP has helped to build awareness on the importance of respectful workplaces and sexual harassment prevention.
- Discussions on how training for representatives from management, workers, and union representatives can transform workplace cultures and ensure proactive measures.
- Social Dialogue in Action:
- Examples of successful interventions led by trade unions and employers’ organisations, including the establishment of safe houses, sexual harassment task forces, and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to better protect women workers.
- The development and impact of the Guidelines for Preventing and Handling Sexual Violence & Harassment in the Workplace, by the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) in collaboration with the ILO.
- Fair Wear’s role in fostering the Gender Network Platform, which has been pivotal in mobilising discussions around the Sexual Harassment Act and sustaining social dialogue on gender equality.
Speakers
- Sonya Ermina – Senior Labour Inspector, Directorate of Labour Norms, Ministry of Manpower, discussed the Guidelines for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Harassment and the Ministry’s efforts for addressing sexual harassment, including through the establishment of Sexual Harassment Task Forces.
- Shelly Woyla – Training Team & Gender Focal Point Leader, Better Work Indonesia Programme, highlighted the Respectful Workplace Program (RESPECT) training initiative and its success in raising awareness, changing mindsets and facilitating preventive measures in factories.
- Intan Indria Dewi – Chairperson, National Trade Union Federation (FSP-SPN) in Banten Province, shared experiences from the field, including the establishment of safe houses, and a recent collective bargaining agreement to protect women workers.
- Myra Hanartani – Head of the Labour Regulations Committee, Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo), elaborated on the Guidelines for Preventing and Handling Sexual Violence & Harassment in the Workplace and the proactive measures taken by Apindo to guide and support businesses.
- Astri Suryandari – Project Coordinator, Fair Wear, discussed the impact of the Gender Network Platform in shaping the Sexual Harassment Act and the ongoing efforts to enhance social dialogue for improved workplace safety.
A Call for Strengthened Social Dialogue and Due Diligence
Highlighting the importance of collaborative action, the Global Deal underscores that effective due diligence is essential not only for preventing abuse but also for creating an environment where women workers can thrive. Social partners play a key role in this context to strengthen due diligence procedures and mechanisms.
