Indonesia has recorded more than 5,600 workplace accidents in the first quarter of 2025, with the majority occurring in the construction, manufacturing, and mining sectors, said Muchammad Yusuf, Director of Occupational Safety and Health Testing Development at the Ministry of Manpower.

“We classify some of these incidents not as ordinary accidents, but as industrial disasters,” Yusuf addressed a plenary session at the Indonesia ESG Forum 2025 in Jakarta on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Referring to the nickel sector specifically, he cited a major incident resulting in 21 deaths and 31 injuries as a turning point, highlighting the sector's ongoing safety crisis.

According to Yusuf, the government has established a comprehensive regulatory framework covering labor, occupational safety, and social security.

“We already have Law No. 13/2003 for labor and Law No. 1/1970 for workplace safety, which apply to all industries,” he said.

Additionally, Government Regulation No. 50/2012 mandates the implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems (SMK3) in all companies.

However, Yusuf acknowledged a major gap between regulations and ground-level compliance.

“Regulations alone are not enough. Compliance remains our biggest challenge,” he said. “Law enforcement must be accompanied by both hard and soft approaches.”

The ministry has also introduced various technical regulations − from pressure vessel safety to fire protection and hazardous materials − alongside comprehensive social security programs, including accident insurance, old-age benefits, pensions, job loss compensation, and universal healthcare.

To address the root causes of safety issues in the nickel industry supply chain, the ministry plans to conduct safety culture assessments, not just within companies, but in surrounding communities. “We must also engage the local workforce − many of whom have transitioned from farming or fishing to mining without proper safety training,” Yusuf noted.

He called for a systemic and comprehensive approach, combining regulation, corporate responsibility, and community education. “Safety culture cannot stop at the factory gate. It must extend into communities. We are all responsible for creating safe and decent work environments,” Yusuf concluded.