By: Darmawan Prasetya (Research Associate The PRAKARSA)
There is great potential in what Indonesia captures from green economy. At least, the government has the ambition to create 1,8 million new jobs from green economy to 2030.
Bappenas projects that several strategic industrial sectors can absorb labor, namely: electric vehicles, clean energy, land restoration, and waste management. This effort is a bold long-term step to support the stability of GDP growth of 6%-6,5% per year and realize the vision of becoming a high-income country by 2045.
Despite the potential, there are barriers for people with disabilities in accessing green economy jobs. There are at least 22,97 million souls People with disabilities or 8,5% of the total population of Indonesia need more attention from all of us because of the still exclusive access to jobs and training from the current system.
Eco-friendly, not disability friendly
Green jobs focus on reducing emissions in every aspect of our lives, from what we consume to how we move around everyday. Naturally, recruiting for jobs in the green economy requires high expertise and skills.
Because they require advanced skills, green economy job opportunities are rich in the ability to operate new technologies or skills such as extensive networking and organization. Key skills for green jobs also includes environmental awareness and a willingness to continue learning about sustainable development.
People with disabilities still face significant barriers in accessing job training. From 305 Job Training Centers (BLK) available, minimal data and information on which BLKs carry out training for people with disabilities.
Most of these BLKs also do not have adequate facilities and infrastructure to provide inclusive training. Study PRAKARSA (2022) found that 90% of disabled workers had never received job skills training.
The training offered by BLK to people with disabilities is also not in accordance with green jobs need. For example, the electric vehicle sector is expected to grow rapidly in the early period of the green transition, which is already visible from the large number of electric vehicles on the road, thus creating demand for human resources such as mechanics.
Unfortunately, there is minimal job training in this field. The training offered at BLK is mostly focused on the service sector such as catering and massage. This skills mismatch can be a barrier for people with disabilities to participate in the green jobs sector.
On the other hand, the rehabilitation center managed by Ministry of Social Affairs actually offers comprehensive training that includes skills hard skills such as technical and skills training soft skill such as teamwork and organizational skills.
However, these rehabilitation centers usually only serve certain types of disabilities, such as the blind category, and does not accept multiple disabilities. Rehabilitation center also have limited quota, and duration of training more than six months. In addition to its minimal reach and impact, this training pattern cannot meet recruitment needs of companies that require large quotas.
Having training experience is also not a guarantee for people with disabilities to get a job. Because, employers also provide less job vacancy information and have minimal understanding about disability in the workplace. Therefore, training programs for people with disabilities should also have internship or job placement scheme.
Mandate that is running in place
One of the most common phases in the green economy is the energy transition. The energy transition not only encourages a sustainable energy system but also transformation of economic and social structures The green economic transition is targeted to realize a decent and dignified life for all people based on the principle of “no one left behind” or nothing is left behind.
Indonesia itself actually already has related regulations Implementation of the Disability Service Unit (ULD) in the employment sector. The policy offers services such as counseling for people with disabilities seeking employment, as well as helping to connect employers and job seekers with disabilities.
However, issues such as the lack of budget for the existence and operation of ULD which are still centralized in provincial level offices make it difficult for many disabled workers to access. On the other hand, to ensure that training is beneficial for people with disabilities, the government must actively promote a green labor market evenly.
Indonesia has ratified law on persons with disabilities which requires a minimum quota of jobs for people with disabilities of 1% for the public sector and 2% for the private sector. Unfortunately, the implementation of this policy lacks a clear monitoring and evaluation system. Research PRAKARSA 2022 year found that the implementation of minimum quotas for recruitment of people with disabilities had not been included in the company's monitoring and supervision points.
The lack of supervision makes the requirement to hire people with disabilities difficult to achieve. The solution, in addition to enforcing optimal supervision, is for the government to implement long-term incentives for companies that employ people with disabilities.
The need for inclusive job training is not only limited to improving the skills of existing people with disabilities, but can also target training for individuals who become disabled due to work accidents. Inclusive job training can support their transition process and ensure they remain competitive in the job market, in line with the mandate Job Creation Law.
A variety of references are available for learning
As is known, the development of a green economy is also inevitable because the subject is a real follow-up translation of the global agreement Sustainable Development Goals since 2015. This commitment should also be carried out by the state as a global citizen.
As a result, all countries are competing to carry out their commitments to a green economy and also a high level of inclusivity towards disabilities. Policy single-minded In Sweden, for example, companies that hire individuals with disabilities offer assistance for accessibility renovations in the first year of hiring. Such initiatives are sustainable investments that can encourage companies to continue hiring people with disabilities in the long term.
Not only developed countries, developing countries like Brazil are also one step ahead compared to Indonesia. Initiation Inclusive Action Program (PSAI)) in Brazil provides disability skills certification and channels for internships. This PSAI can provide an opportunity for employers to understand the context of disability in the workplace, ultimately increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
It is undeniable that achieving a 100% inclusiveness level in an economic sector is indeed difficult. Currently, Indonesia's point index for the green economy is at number 41/100. Let alone in the green economy sector, which is still relatively new, the perfect ratio of inclusivity in transportation sector has not yet been achieved even in the metropolitan transportation facilities of Greater Jakarta.
It requires synergy and high commitment between all stakeholders to create a sustainable and fair green economic climate for all Indonesian people. People with disabilities, in addition to having their human rights fulfilled by the state, can still achieve success if given a fair and equal opportunity.
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This article was previously published ini theconversation.com by title “Lack of access and training: The grey green economy for people with disabilities". Read more here: theconversation.com