Said Iqbal, a prominent Indonesian labor leader, defended his appointment as a special adviser to President Prabowo Subianto, arguing for direct access to policymakers. His inclusion, alongside another labor figure appointed minister, raises concerns about unions shifting from activism to government influence.
The integration of labor leaders into the Indonesian government signals a potential shift in the country's political landscape, raising questions about the future of union activism and the balance of power between labor, industry, and policymakers.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has appointed prominent labor leader Said Iqbal as a special adviser on labor affairs, aiming to give organized labor a voice within the government. Iqbal defended the move in an interview, stating that workers require direct access to policymakers rather than relying solely on external pressure.
"Industrialists have always had their lobbyists working from within the government. It’s now the workers’ turn to have theirs so that their voice can be heard loud and clear," Iqbal said. He was sworn into his new role at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
This appointment follows the recent naming of Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, former chairman of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers’ Unions (KSPSI), as Minister of the Environment and Forestry in a cabinet reshuffle last month. The inclusion of senior labor figures in the administration has sparked concerns that Indonesian unions may be shifting away from traditional street-level activism towards internal government influence.