The regional leadership of the Federation of Cigarette Tobacco Food and Beverage Workers’ Unions for the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) asked the government to provide protection for workers in the tobacco products industry. This request was made after the emergence of a Draft Minister of Health Regulation regarding plain cigarette packaging.
“This is a threat. “This could have an impact on increasing poverty and unemployment,” said Regional Leader of the Cigarette Tobacco Food and Beverage Workers’ Union Federation Waljid Budi, Tuesday (22/10).
RTMM DIY is recorded as having 5,250 members, the majority of whom work in the cigarette factory sector. Currently, their existence is threatened following the Ministry of Health’s plans to implement a plain, unbranded cigarette packaging policy in the Draft Minister of Health Regulation (Draft Permenkes).
He also asked the Candidate for Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta, Wawan Hermawan, to also pay attention to this issue.
Currently, the tobacco sector is still an industry that can absorb thousands of workers with limited education and skills. Therefore, the protection of RTMM DIY member workers is very important amidst the increasing wave of layoffs (PHK) in various regions.
Data from the Yogyakarta City Central Statistics Agency shows that until September 2024, the number of poor residents in Yogyakarta City was recorded at 6.26% or the equivalent of 28,790 people. At the same time, the number of open unemployed in the city of Yogyakarta as of February 2024 reached 13,582 people or the equivalent of 3.24% of the total workforce of 2.20 million people.
Waljid again emphasized the importance of protection from regulations that threaten the fate of tobacco workers. These include Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024 concerning Health, which unilaterally prohibits the sale of cigarettes within a 200 meter radius of educational units and children’s play areas as well as a ban on outdoor media advertising within a 500 meter radius. This policy also hit stall traders, the majority of whose businesses are micro and small scale and many of which have been around for a long time.
Not only that, the government also plans to enforce regulations on plain cigarette packaging in the Draft Minister of Health Regulation (Draft Permenkes) as a derivative regulation from PP 28/2024. This regulation will standardize cigarette products and eliminate the identity of logos and brands for all cigarette products, making it increasingly difficult for consumers and stall traders to differentiate between legal and illegal cigarette products.
These various regulations have received strong reactions from various parties who are calling for review and cancellation. “This rule clearly threatens our member workers at a time when they need the most protection from a wave of massive layoffs. “Frankly, we are disappointed with the Ministry of Health and we firmly reject the implementation of this regulation,” said Waljid.
Candidate for Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta City, Wawan Hermawan, emphasized that efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment are one of his priority programs. Wawan said there needs to be special attention to workers by improving employee welfare in every company, one of which is the cigarette industry.
“What we need to think about is how to improve the quality and competitiveness of human resources in Yogyakarta, including cigarette workers,” said Wawan.
Apart from that, Wawan emphasized the need for protection of cigarette workers’ unions in Yogyakarta, which is rich in human resources. “Therefore, let’s work together to develop a better labor union in the future,” he concluded. (Z-11)
#Workers #Tobacco #Sector #Vulnerable #Poverty #Unemployment
Interview with Waljid Budi, Regional Leader of the Federation of Cigarette Tobacco Food and Beverage Workers’ Unions for Yogyakarta
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Waljid. Your union has raised significant concerns regarding the Draft Minister of Health Regulation on plain cigarette packaging. Can you elaborate on why this regulation poses a threat to workers in the tobacco sector?
Waljid Budi: Thank you for having me. The proposed regulation to introduce plain cigarette packaging is alarming for us. It could drastically affect the tobacco industry, which currently employs over 5,250 workers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta alone. The simplification of packaging could lead to declining sales, and we fear this will result in increased unemployment and poverty among our members and their families.
Editor: That’s a serious concern. You mentioned that many of your members have limited education and skills. How does the tobacco sector play a role in their employment?
Waljid Budi: The tobacco industry is one of the few sectors where people with limited education can find jobs. It provides stable employment for thousands who might not have other options. As the economy faces layoffs in various regions, it’s critical that we protect these jobs. If the tobacco sector suffers, these workers will be among the hardest hit.
Editor: What specific actions are you asking the government to take to protect these workers?
Waljid Budi: We are urging the government to reconsider regulations that threaten the tobacco industry. Specifically, we want protection from policies like the plain packaging regulation and restrictions that limit the sale of cigarettes near schools and playgrounds. These policies not only affect large producers but also small retailers who rely on tobacco sales to survive. We need a comprehensive approach that considers the livelihood of our workers.
Editor: You mentioned reaching out to political figures like the Candidate for Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta. What role do you see local leaders playing in this situation?
Waljid Budi: Local leaders have a vital role in advocating for our workers’ rights and economic stability. They should listen to the concerns of the workforce and communicate them to higher government levels. By standing with us, they can help ensure that the voices of those who rely on the tobacco industry for their livelihoods are heard.
Editor: Lastly, could you speak on the recent statistics showing rising poverty and unemployment in Yogyakarta? How does this context shape your union’s demands?
Waljid Budi: The statistics are quite troubling, with over 6% of people in Yogyakarta living in poverty and thousands unemployed. This context is precisely why we are advocating so strongly for our workers’ protection. We cannot afford to see more jobs lost or families plunged into poverty due to policies that did not consider the socio-economic impact on our community.
Editor: Thank you, Waljid, for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that the issue at hand is complex and deeply intertwined with worker welfare and regional economic health.
Waljid Budi: Thank you for highlighting this important issue. We hope our concerns will be taken seriously as the government considers these regulations.
Laying in this situation?
Waljid Budi: Local leaders like the Candidate for Deputy Mayor, Wawan Hermawan, play a crucial role in addressing our concerns. They can help advocate for policies that benefit both the workers and the industry. It’s essential that local government actively supports initiatives that not only consider regulatory measures but also provide social safety nets for affected workers. Collaboration is key. We need leaders who understand the unique challenges faced by our community and are committed to finding balanced solutions that promote both public health and economic stability.
Editor: Given the existing statistics on poverty and unemployment in Yogyakarta, how do you see the socio-economic landscape evolving if these regulations are implemented?
Waljid Budi: If these regulations proceed, we fear a spike in both poverty and unemployment rates. Current statistics already show that 6.26% of Yogyakarta’s residents live in poverty, and the unemployment rate is at 3.24%. Adding pressure on the tobacco sector, which is a vital employment source, could further exacerbate these issues. We risk pushing more families into poverty and increasing the strain on social services as more workers become jobless. Our community cannot afford that.
Editor: What message would you like to send to the government regarding the livelihoods of tobacco workers?
Waljid Budi: We urge the government to engage in open dialogue with us and other stakeholders in the tobacco industry. Protecting the livelihoods of workers should be a priority, and it’s vital that any regulations consider their impact on employment and economic stability. We are ready to collaborate and find solutions that benefit public health without sacrificing jobs. Let’s work together to create a responsible, yet supportive, framework going forward.
Editor: Thank you, Waljid, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that this situation requires immediate attention and collaboration to protect the livelihoods of many workers in Yogyakarta.
Waljid Budi: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a constructive path forward for the sake of our community.
