The Asia context in 2024 In relation to the INSP!R network issues

It is increasingly alarming that trade unions and civil society  organizations (CSOs) across Asia are facing shrinking democratic space, often with serious consequences: policymaking now bypasses tripartite mechanisms and other forums where unions and CSOs once structurally engaged with the government. To remain effective, we must adjust our advocacy—strengthening ties with like minded CSOs and trade unions, presenting ourselves as partners in the shared pursuit of justice and prosperity, raising awareness about surveillance and safe communication, adapting our phrasing on social media, ensuring compliance with ever stricter bureaucratic requirements and national laws, and seizing every available channel for social dialogue. At the ASEAN level, authoritarian governance, widening post COVID  wealth gaps, and polarization along racial or religious lines prioritize economic priorities rather than human rights. Many governments now woo foreign investors while tightening laws that stifle dissent and threaten activists, leaving unions and CSOs with shrinking room for advocacy.

In this environment, collaboration, careful messaging, and evidence based policy proposals are essential. From 2022-2024, INSP!R Asia produced several position papers on current issues like climate justice or digital platform workers, forged regional and global alliances, hosted major events, and championed social protection rights. However, inadequate funding for sustained engagement—continuous outreach to decision makers, data driven argumentation, and physical presence at key meetings—remains our greatest obstacle. Recognized by the ILO, ITUC Asia Pacific, and other regional CSOs, INSP!R Asia has played pivotal roles at the G20/L20/C20, the ASEAN People’s Forum, and the UN Global Accelerator on Employment and Social Protection for a Just Transition, while supporting trade union partners at the ITUC and ILO, including during the International Labour Conference in promoting relevant conventions and recommendations. Securing additional resources will allow us to amplify this impact, strengthen our network, and advance progressive policies locally, regionally, and globally.

Nepal context in 2024

 

WSF in Feb. 2024

In 2024, Nepal made progress despite political challenges, with efforts to address key issues like transitional justice and federal implementation. The rise of the Rastriya Swatantra Party showed that the youth are becoming more engaged in the political process. Nepal’s economy grew by 3.9%, driven by tourism, hydropower, and agriculture, and is expected to grow even further to 5.1% in 2025. The government also introduced the 16th periodic plan, which aims to improve social protection and support vulnerable groups. 

In 2024, Nepal made significant progress in improving labour rights through key international agreements and policy reforms. The government worked on agreements with ten countries to protect Nepali migrant workers, focusing on fair recruitment and better working conditions. While challenges remain, particularly in the informal sector, efforts are underway to address issues like exploitation and unsafe working conditions. The government is committed to tackling problems like bonded labour and continuing to improve labour laws for a better future.

In 2024, Nepal made great progress in expanding social security, with around 3.8 million citizens receiving allowances, which is a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The government has focused on both contributory and non-contributory schemes, prioritizing the elderly and planning to extend benefits to the children of contributors. While there are some challenges like raising awareness and ensuring long-term sustainability, efforts to improve local-level implementation and develop sustainable funding models are key to making social protection more inclusive and effective for all.

Context in Indonesia in 2024

 

In 2024, Indonesia navigated a complex landscape marked by democratic erosion, economic recovery, and persistent social challenges. The general elections saw a large public participation but raised concerns over dynastic politics, judicial interference, and shrinking civic space. Despite an economic growth of 5.1%, inequality remained high, with informalization of labor and limited access to social protection for vulnerable groups. Labor unions achieved key legal victories, including the reinstatement of sectoral minimum wages, yet faced continuous resistance to workers protections and rising workplace safety concerns.

In 2024, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court ruled that the wage system must align with the 1945 Constitution, leading to the repeal of Regulation No. 51/2023, which had capped wage increases at 5%. Based on economic growth (5.2%) and inflation (2.8%), KSBSI proposed a wage increase of 7–10%, and the government ultimately set a 6.5% increase in December 2024. KSBSI also successfully lobbied for the reinstatement of minimum sectoral wages (UMS) through Regulation No. 16/2024. 

Civil society organizations and trade unions operated under increasing repression, with surveillance, legal harassment, and restrictions on public protests. Networks like INSP!R Indonesia remained vital to defend labor rights and social protection for informal and marginalized workers.

Meanwhile, health reforms aimed at improving access and equity were overshadowed by privatization concerns and underfunding of preventive care. Environmental policies progressed slowly, constrained by reliance on fossil fuels and deforestation. Amid these challenges, civil society continued to mobilize for a just transition, human rights, and stronger public services, reinforcing its role as a key actor in Indonesia’s democratic and social landscape.

Indonesian context in 2023 related to social protection and INSP!R network issues

At the end of December 2022, President Joko Widodo issued an emergency regulation on Job Creation to replace the Omnibus Law, with the reason of addressing global recession risks in 2023 and for attracting more foreign investment at the expense of workers’ rights. The Indonesian Unions rejected the new regulation as some provisions in the regulation have given governors discretionary power to determine the minimum wage, affect outsourcing, severance pay, recruitment of foreign workers and criminal sanctions against employers which will impact workers.

Seeing the shrinking of democratic space in the region, many trade unions and civil society organizations are trying to defend and reclaim their democratic space. 

A new Health Law came into force in Indonesia on 8 August 2023. The new law (Law No.17 of 2023 on Health) (Health Law) holds monumental implications for the development and transformation of Indonesia's health care system. The Health Bill not only potentially deprives people of their health rights but also threatens public safety.

WSM was able to initiate and facilitate the creation of a new platform: the Global Union Indonesia Network, to unite the affiliates of the International Trade Union Confederation and Global Federations in Asia with National Trade Unions centres in Indonesia as one of the best practice of building unity. The platform has been successfully placing the controversial Indonesia’ Law on Job Creation on the short list of cases of non-compliance for the ILO Convention nr. 98 on Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. The report of the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards concluded that the Job Creation Law is in non-compliance with the ILO C.98 and therefore the ILO CAS recommended the government of Indonesia to reform the Labor Law with focus on the Job Creation Law by having a proper and a time-bound dialogue with the most representative unions in Indonesia. As a lesson learned: with openness and cooperation, we are able to unite in one platform the majority of national trade union centres, including some of the labour NGOs and solidarity support organizations.

Context of 2023 related to social protection and INSP!R Nepal

Nepal's contribution-based social security scheme has been expanded to include workers in the informal economy, migrant and the self-employed. Previously, only workers in the formal sector and migrant workers were permitted to participate in the plan. Administered by the Social Security Fund, the plan covers eight of the nine branches of social security grouped around four key schemes: Medical care, health and maternity benefits scheme; accidental and disability protection scheme; dependent family protection scheme; and old age protection scheme. According to the Social Security Fund, 420,000 workers from the formal sector and 280,000 migrant workers have already enrolled in the contribution-based scheme. Nearly a million Nepalis left the country, including students, in 2023 to look for a better future abroad. The increased number of labour migrants has led to an increase in remittance inflow. But this growing remittance trend should no longer be considered a blessing. It reflects not only the failure of the country to provide for its people but also the waning hopes of the progressive youth. The drop in student numbers has alarmed not only colleges but the education sector as a whole.

Impact of climate change – Nepal’s climate vulnerabilities emerge from a combination of fragile mountainous topography and ecosystems, highly variable monsoon-driven hydrology, unplanned settlements, and a lack of resilient infrastructure. The unusual weather conditions deviating significantly from the reasonably expected is a strong indication of the effects of climate change in Nepal, and globally. A government report shows that 2023 was one of the worst years in Nepal for the environment with more than 5,500 incidents of forest fires. The United Nations Secretary-General’s visit to Nepal and his appeals to the global community for urgent action to protect the mountains and glaciers helped to draw global attention to the catastrophic consequences of climate change for which the country is not responsible. Nepal’s representation in the COP28 meeting and commitments of the government to deal with the impacts of climate change can be also taken as positive developments.

Pathfinder country for the new Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection: to assist with the COVID 19 recovery, the UN launched a Global Accelerator, and Nepal is one of the Pathfinder countries where it will be initiated, which should involve civil society. To create decent jobs, expanding social protection and promote pathways for just transitions, the Global Accelerator will support the Nepali government with national strategies and policies; financing and enhanced multilateral cooperation.