Indonesia court decides to amend omnibus law

In February 2020 Indonesian President Joko Widodo proposed a first draft of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, a bill aimed at increasing economic investments and industrialization in Indonesia. Not long after this, environmentalists and labor unions expressed their serious concerns against this law, fearing that it would undermine labor rights as set by the ILO, as well as increase deforestation. In spite of protests, the law passed in October 2020.

The court’s ruling of November 25th is a great achievement of the law’s opponents, among which is CNV’s partner KSBSI, who have requested the judicial review of the law. However, the current court order also requires civil society to be proporly consulted in the legislative process and revisions that are to be made in the near future. Although it's too soon to celebrate just yet, at least the ruling creates new opportunities  for trade unions to be involved in the process and advocate for the law to be amended so that it no longer undermines labor rights.