Indonesian Union Leader Joins Prabowo's Government as Labour Adviser
Said Iqbal, former president of Indonesia's largest trade union confederation, has been appointed special adviser on labour affairs in President Prabowo Subianto's administration. The appointment gives organized labour direct access to policymakers but raises concerns about unions shifting away from grassroots activism. The move comes as Indonesia faces economic pressures, including the rupiah hitting historic lows against the US dollar.
Said Iqbal, former president of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI), was sworn in as special adviser on labour affairs in President Prabowo Subianto's administration. In an exclusive interview, Iqbal defended the appointment by arguing that workers need direct access to policymakers rather than relying solely on outside pressure, comparing labour's position to the long-standing practice of industrialists lobbying from within government. The appointment marks the second senior labour figure to join the current administration, following Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat's appointment as Minister of the Environment and Forestry in a recent cabinet reshuffle. The move comes amid economic concerns, with the Indonesian rupiah recently sliding past 18,000 to the US dollar—a historic low that reflects market worries about the country's economic stability. While the appointment provides organized labour with an insider voice, observers have expressed concerns that it may distance unions from street-level activism and grassroots organizing.
What different sources said
- South China Morning PostCenter
Indonesian union boss defends joining Prabowo’s government
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