Amid rising industrial activity and increasing productivity demands, worker safety and health remain one of the most serious challenges in Indonesia.
Data from the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia indicate that throughout 2024, the number of reported workplace accidents nationwide reached 462,241 cases, comprising 91.65 percent of formal workers, 7.43 percent of informal workers, and 0.92 percent of construction service workers.
This high figure indicates that worker protection efforts have not yet been fully optimized, underscoring the need to continuously and comprehensively strengthen occupational safety and health systems.
An expert in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at UGM’s Vocational College (SV UGM), Dr. Diki Bima Prasetio, stated that the high number of workplace accidents is a serious warning that systemic improvements are still needed.
In this context, OHS is a critical foundation, as it directly affects worker protection, employee trust, productivity, and national competitiveness. He noted that if these issues are not properly addressed, they could have adverse effects on workers.
“The most alarming impact is fatal accidents resulting in loss of life. In addition, workers may face job loss, companies may experience operational disruptions, and the broader socio-economic burden could increase,” he explained during an interview on Thursday (Feb. 5).
Although national OHS standards have been in place in Indonesia for some time, public awareness and understanding of worker safety regulations remain weak. He emphasized that this issue is not due to a lack of regulations but rather to the fact that OHS culture has yet to take root in society.
As a result, unsafe work practices persist in the field; many wool samples remain in use despite being unfit for operation, and worker supervision remains suboptimal.
“Furthermore, there are still many structural challenges indicating that the OHS approach in society is fragmented, along with insufficient supervision that is disproportionate to the vast scope of workplaces,” he explained.
In this regard, Dr. Prasetio noted that the Ministry of Manpower has carried out a digital-based OHS service transformation through enhancements to the Teman K3 application, as well as the launch of the Lapor Menaker channel, which integrates systems covering guidance, reporting, supervision, and the strengthening of databases on workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
Nevertheless, he stressed that further data are needed to support accident prevention policies.
“In this case, it must be emphasized that data collection is not merely about digitalization. Decision-making must be grounded in data to ensure that prevention efforts are well-targeted. Therefore, data accuracy still needs to be further improved,” he stated.
Beyond strengthening data systems, he added that cross-sector collaboration is essential, involving the business sector, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, professional associations, higher education institutions, and regional governments, so that OHS is genuinely present and implemented in workplaces rather than remaining a regulatory formality.
The structural challenges and growing complexity of future risks demand that OSH management be developed as a national ecosystem through a more systematic and integrated approach involving all stakeholders.
“Strengthening OHS should not stop at accident statistics, but must be followed up at the levels of service delivery, prevention, and worker protection,” he said.
Dr. Prasetio recommended several priority measures for the government, in collaboration with cross-sector stakeholders, including strengthening promotive and preventive approaches as the mainstream strategy and reinforcing the roles of government and academics in delivering contextual and participatory education and guidance.
He also emphasized the need for broader implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), including support for risk mapping, worker training, and regular, systematic evaluations conducted by companies.
According to him, further support is needed to strengthen the role of academics and professional associations by certifying OHS experts, and to involve labour unions to enhance the integrity of OHS services in the workplace.
“Implementing OHS is not merely a regulatory obligation, but a value that affirms every worker’s right to return home safely. Productivity and safety must go hand in hand,” he concluded.
Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik