Access to employment, care services and social protection remains a major challenge for vulnerable groups in Indonesia, particularly for people with disabilities. According to the ILO's 2023 statistics, only 18.7 per cent of people with disabilities are employed, with the rate dropping to just 13.5 per cent among women. Furthermore, 91 per cent of employed individuals with disabilities work in the informal sector, compared to 81 per cent of the general population.
To address these disparities, the ILO's Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions - an initiative jointly led by the Government of Indonesia and the United Nations - has partnered with the Ministry of Manpower to strengthen the capacity of public employment service officers. These officers play a vital role in connecting job seekers and employers, including in promoting disability inclusion.
As part of this commitment, we are equipping our public employment service officers to deliver inclusive employment services in line with constitutional principles.
Darmanwansyah, S.T., M.Si., Director General for the Development of Labour Placement and Expansion of Employment at the Ministry of Manpower
Thirty-three public employment service officers from 13 provinces and Ministry of Manpower and three Bappenas officials from deputy of community empowerment, population and employment participated in a-seven-day Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) training in July, based on standards and materials from the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR), Canada. This certification is governed by the International Disability Management Standards Council and administered by NIDMAR in collaboration with partner countries. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia's Social Security Organization (Perkeso) is the sole licensee for CDMP.
Of the 36 participants, 19 (11 women and 8 men) successfully earned their CDMP certification in this September. These 19 CDMP come from 8 provinces, Ministry of Manpower and Bappenas. This credential is valid for two years, during which certified professionals must accumulate continuing education credits to qualify for re-examination and renewal. Among the 19 certified professionals, six achieved scores above 70 per cent, surpassing the minimum passing grade of 60 per cent.
© ILO
In recognition of their achievement, the Global Accelerator and the Ministry of Manpower's Employment Service have invited these six individuals to participate in an on-the-job training and study visit to Perkeso's Rehabilitation Centres in Putrajaya and Melaka, Malaysia, scheduled for mid-October 2025.
Darmanwansyah, S.T., M.Si., Director General for the Development of Labour Placement and Expansion of Employment at the Ministry of Manpower, underscored that ensuring decent job opportunities and placements for persons with disabilities is a top priority for the Directorate General of Labour Placement and Employment Expansion (Binapenta & PKK).
"As part of this commitment, we are equipping our public employment service officers to deliver inclusive employment services in line with constitutional principles," he stated.
The training has prompted me to reflect on how we can enhance support through initiatives like inclusive job fairs and business matching programmes for persons with disabilities.
Nikira Dewati, First Level of Public Employment Service Officer at the Ministry of Manpower
Diego Rei, Labour Market and Employment Specialist at the ILO, added, "Indonesia stands out as a pioneer country in the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. This training directly supports the programme's goal of advancing decent and formal employment for persons with disabilities. By participating, public employment service officers are helping dismantle barriers that hinder access to meaningful work for people with disabilities."
© ILO
The training programme has significantly inspired participating public employment service officers to become active advocates for a more inclusive labour market, particularly in promoting equal access to decent employment for persons with disabilities. Many officers expressed a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to integrating inclusive practices into their daily responsibilities. They praised the programme not only for its comprehensive content but also for its practical relevance to the challenges they face in the field.
"The training has prompted me to reflect on how we can enhance support through initiatives like inclusive job fairs and business matching programmes for persons with disabilities," shared Nikira Dewati, First Level of Public Employment Service Officer at the Ministry of Manpower.
Similarly, Bintang Pratama, First Level of Planning Officer at Bappenas, expressed his commitment to becoming a disability focal point to help mainstream disability issues within government policies and programmes. "I will advocate for more evidence-based research to strengthen collaboration between the government and disability organizations," he affirmed.
At the provincial level, Anak Agung Ayu Trisnawati, Third Level of Public Employment Service Officer at the Bali Provincial Manpower Office, affirmed her intention to applying the knowledge gained from the training. "I plan to put what I've learned into practice and actively share this information with my fellow employment service officers across Bali," she said.
