JAKARTA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Manpower Minister Yassierli on Friday called for stronger implementation of occupational health and safety (OHS) standards, urging a shift from compensation-driven responses to preventive measures to curb workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
Yassierli said the long-standing reactive approach centered on compensation had failed to deliver sustainable improvements in workplace safety.
"A reactive approach focused on compensation will not produce lasting impact," he said, adding that preventive and promotive programs could help reduce both accident rates and associated economic costs.
Citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), Yassierli said the majority of workplace fatalities worldwide were linked to occupational diseases caused by unsafe working environments.
He noted that only around 18,000 of Indonesia's 450,000 companies had adopted the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, underscoring the need to expand compliance.
To improve workplace safety nationwide, the Ministry of Manpower will collaborate with the state-run workers' insurance agency, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, on priorities such as strengthening the national OHS framework, enhancing region-based preventive training programs, and promoting measurable safety standards across enterprises.
BPJS Ketenagakerjaan President Director Anggoro Eko Cahyo said the agency is prepared to begin technical coordination efforts, including integrating data systems, improving claims mechanisms, and developing more effective prevention programs. ■