JAKARTA | INDATANEWS.COM - Indonesian Minister of Manpower Yassierli has stressed that fair and well-grounded judicial consideration is an important foundation for providing legal certainty to workers and employers facing industrial relations disputes. In resolving such disputes, ad hoc judges at the Industrial Relations Court (Pengadilan Hubungan Industrial/PHI) play a strategic role by bringing the perspectives of workers and employers into the judicial process.
Yassierli said the experience of ad hoc judges from both sides of the employment relationship could help the judicial panel develop a more comprehensive understanding of industrial relations issues. Their practical experience could also enrich the analysis of various technical matters that arise during court proceedings.
"The presence of ad hoc judges provides an important perspective for understanding industrial relations issues. Their practical experience can also help clarify technical problems that arise during court proceedings," Yassierli said on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at an orientation program for prospective ad hoc judges at the Industrial Relations Court in Jakarta.
The event was organized by the Directorate General of Industrial Relations Development of the Ministry of Manpower in cooperation with the Directorate General of General Courts of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia. The forum was part of efforts to strengthen prospective ad hoc judges' understanding of their duties and responsibilities in resolving
industrial relations disputes.
The Role of Ad Hoc Judges in Industrial Relations Disputes
Yassierli explained that Law No. 2 of 2004 on the Settlement of Industrial Relations Disputes provides for ad hoc judges to serve as members of judicial panels examining and deciding industrial relations cases. As a result, ad hoc judges have an important responsibility to help judicial panels understand the particular characteristics of disputes arising from employment relationships.
According to Yassierli, the experience and expertise of ad hoc judges can make an important contribution to the analysis of technical issues arising in a case. The perspectives of workers and employers can also help judicial panels examine an issue more comprehensively before reaching a decision.
Yassierli stressed that judicial decision-making must be based on comprehensive consideration. Judges must take into account applicable laws and regulations, existing agreements, practices within employment relationships, as well as considerations of justice.
"A decision must take into account the law, existing agreements, practices and justice. Therefore, the integrity and professionalism of judges are very important to maintaining public confidence in the resolution of industrial relations disputes," Yassierli said.
He emphasized that a judge's integrity is also reflected in the ability to remain independent while carrying out judicial duties. Judges must reject any form of influence from any party and ensure equal treatment for all parties involved in a case.
Fair and transparent decision-making, Yassierli continued, is an important component of providing legal certainty to workers and employers. Such certainty is needed to ensure that the parties have a clear understanding of the mechanisms and procedures for resolving industrial relations disputes.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ISSUES: Minister of Manpower
Yassierli emphasized that the experience of ad hoc judges representing workers and employers can help judicial panels develop a more comprehensive understanding of industrial relations issues. (PHOTO: Ministry of Manpower Press and Public Relations Office/Kemnaker)
Promoting Sustainable Industrial Relations
Beyond judicial considerations,
Yassierli called on all stakeholders to develop a more constructive model of industrial relations. In his view, relations between workers and employers should move away from what is known as a negative-sum game toward a positive-sum game.
Under a negative-sum game approach, the interests of workers and employers tend to be viewed as conflicting. A positive-sum game approach, by contrast, provides opportunities for both sides to create value together and thereby develop more sustainable industrial relations.
Yassierli explained that this transformation requires a shared commitment from all parties involved in industrial relations. Workers, employers, the government and trade unions must strengthen communication and seek solutions through open dialogue focused on common interests.
According to him, sustainable industrial relations depend not only on compliance with legal requirements. The parties involved must also create a working environment that provides workers with security and well-being while supporting business sustainability.
The involvement of trade unions in resolving problems at the company level is also an important element in building healthy industrial relations. Through effective social dialogue, various workplace issues can be addressed before they develop into more complex disputes.
This approach also places justice among the most important foundations for building industrial relations. Equal treatment of workers and employers is necessary to ensure that dispute resolution mechanisms operate objectively.
FROM MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO HARMONIOUS RELATIONS: Minister of Manpower
Yassierli called for industrial relations to move beyond mere compliance with minimum requirements toward harmonious and productive relationships capable of creating sustainable shared values. (PHOTO: Ministry of Manpower Press and Public Relations Office/Kemnaker)
From Minimum Requirements to Shared Values
Yassierli stressed that the government seeks to encourage a transformation of industrial relations that goes beyond merely meeting minimum requirements and moves toward harmonious and productive relationships. In his view, healthy industrial relations must ultimately be capable of creating shared values that provide long-term benefits for both workers and employers.
"Ultimately, we want to move from merely complying with minimum requirements toward harmonious and productive relationships and then create sustainable shared values. In this process, ad hoc judges at the Industrial Relations Court play an important role by providing legal certainty and ensuring a balance of perspectives," he said.
The statement underscores the importance of ad hoc judges within the system for resolving
industrial relations disputes. In addition to carrying out judicial duties together with other members of the judicial panel, ad hoc judges bring experience and perspectives directly connected to the dynamics of employment relationships.
Through training for prospective ad hoc judges, the Ministry of Manpower and the Supreme Court are strengthening understanding of the duties, responsibilities, integrity and professionalism required when handling industrial relations cases.
Ad hoc judges who understand issues from both workers' and employers' perspectives are expected to contribute to a more comprehensive examination of cases. At the same time, the principles of independence, equal treatment and decision-making based on law and justice remain central guidelines in the judicial process.
Through this approach, the resolution of industrial relations disputes is intended not merely to produce a court decision, but also to provide legal certainty and contribute to the development of harmonious, productive and sustainable industrial relations. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala