Indonesia's New Tobacco Regulations May Cause Millions Of People To Lose Their Jobs, And Many Trade Unions Jointly Oppose

Indonesia's new tobacco regulations may cause millions of people to lose their jobs, and many trade unions jointly oppose

Indonesia's new government tobacco regulations in 2024 may lead to layoffs for millions of workers, affecting about 24 million people. The Indonesian Federation of Trade Unions opposes and calls for the protection of workers' rights.

According to TEMPO.CO on September 11, Sudarto AS, chairman of the All-Indonesian Federation of Workers' Tobacco, Food and Beverage Workers Federation (FSP RTMM-SPSI), said that the Government Health Regulation No. 28 of 2024 and the Tobacco Products and E-cigarettes Act may trigger large-scale layoffs.

Sudarto said at a press conference that about 6 million workers rely on the tobacco industry, and if each worker raises two children, about 24 million people will be affected. He pointed out that even if the new regulations are mainly aimed at the distribution link, the slowdown in sales will affect the entire industry.

Frankie Sibarani, vice chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), also opposed the new regulations, believing that their impact may exceed the COVID-19 epidemic. Apindo and 20 other industry associations oppose the regulations, including destructive provisions such as unbranded packaging, tar nicotine limits and sales radius restrictions. They called on all parties affected by the regulations to participate in policy making, stressing that regulation should not affect job and income security, which are fundamental rights of workers.

Sudarto concluded:

"We are not against regulation, but these regulations cannot interfere with job security and income security, which are part of the protected rights of workers."