In 2024, the Indonesian government’s new cigarette regulations could result in millions of workers facing layoffs, affecting about 24 million people. The Federation of Indonesian Workers’ Organizations opposes it and calls for protection of workers’ rights.
According to TEMPO.CO on Sep 11, Sudarto AS, Chairman of the All Indonesia Workers Federation Tobacco, Food, and Beverage Workers’ Union (FSP RTMM – SPSI), said that the Government Health Regulation No. 28 of 2024 and the bill on tobacco products and vapes could lead to mass layoffs.
In a press conference, Sudarto said that about 6 million workers depend on the tobacco industry. If each worker raises two children, about 24 million people would be affected. He noted that even if the new regulations mainly target the distribution phase, sales relief would affect the entire market.
Frankie Sibarani, vice chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), also opposed the new regulations, arguing that their impact could be greater than that of the COVID-19 outbreak. The opposing regulations from Apindo and 20 other industry associations included devastating provisions such as unbranded packaging, tar smoke tar restrictions, and sales radius restrictions. They called for multi-party participation in policy development, influenced by laws and regulations, emphasizing that controls should not affect job and income security, which are fundamental to workers’ rights.
Sudato concluded, “We are not against controls, but these laws and regulations must not affect job security and income security as part of protecting workers’ rights.
