Attending the ILO AP RM: Sullistri, KSBSI, Indonesia

In this meeting, I can bring forward certain positions and influence the policies on Asia and Pacific level. We promote also the women participation and attention to gender. We can also create links with the National Decent Work programmes in Indonesia.

In my intervention, I focused on the environment and the palm oil sector, which is a big issue in Indonesia. We need a just transition, so that workers do no suffer. Climate change is also mentioned in the SDG, and so we plead for involvement of social dialogue, and include indigenous people and environmental NGOs. The Free Trade Agreements are also part of my intervention, which should include social elements and workers’ rights.

Discussions I thought were particularly relevant was on the social dialogue, where we are also confronted with tensions with the other representatives. But this is normal, and we need strong social dialogue. I also was part of the gender dynamics, where we exchanges with the Director General to explain the challenges to increase women participation in trade unions and during international conferences. I think we need affirmative actions, to strengthen capacities for women to participate in leadership positions. For instance, child care is an important element to allow for women to join the workforce or also in trade unions. We are also thinking of gender awareness being included in education programs. We even lobbied for 50% women inside the ILO, because we have to be ambitious!
Maybe there is also a difference between South Asia and South East Asia, where leadership is younger and more women are involved. Inside KSBSI, many women are involved in leadership and we can share on our experiences.