Building an Inclusive Workforce

Inclusive employment has become an increasingly important issue in Indonesia. With growing awareness and stronger government policies, more organizations are realizing that hiring people with disabilities is not only a social responsibility but also a smart business move.
Creating an inclusive workplace leads to innovation, productivity, and a stronger sense of community.

Here are five key facts about how disability inclusion is shaping the future of work in Indonesia.

1. 1% Job Quota for Private Companies

According to Law No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities, private companies with more than 100 employees are required to allocate at least 1% of their job positions for people with disabilities.
This regulation aims to ensure equal opportunity and demonstrate corporate commitment to diversity and inclusion.

2. 2% Job Quota for Government Institutions and State-Owned Enterprises

Public institutions and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have a higher quota — they are required to provide at least 2% of job positions for people with disabilities.
This policy ensures that the public sector sets an example in promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace.

3. Employees with Disabilities Are Equally Productive and Loyal

Studies show that employees with disabilities are just as productive and loyal — if not more so — than their non-disabled peers.
Their resilience, problem-solving skills, and strong work ethic make them valuable assets for any inclusive organization.

4. Interviews Can Be More Flexible

Inclusion starts at recruitment. Job interviews can be conducted in different formats — written, via video, or with an assistant — as part of reasonable accommodation.
This ensures that every candidate has a fair opportunity to present their skills and potential.

5. Career Opportunities Across All Fields

People with disabilities can pursue careers in a wide range of industries, from hospitality and design to data analytics and information technology.
This shows that ability, not disability, defines one’s potential to succeed in the workplace.

Moving Toward a More Inclusive Future

Inclusive employment is not just a legal obligation — it’s a strategy for building a stronger, more empathetic, and sustainable workplace.
By creating opportunities for people with disabilities, companies can drive innovation, boost morale, and strengthen their social impact.

Let’s continue working together to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and succeed. 

 

December 21st, 2020 marked seven years of the journey of DNetwork - Jaringan Kerja Disabilitas. Since it was founded seven years ago, there have been many twists and turns, stories, and achievements that are certainly worth celebrating. Even so, in the midst of the current pandemic, the usual form of celebration is impossible. There’s no gatherings nor blowing candles. As a replacement, DNetwork invited the wider community to celebrate this moment virtually.

Through the Instagram account @dnetwork_indonesia, DNetwork held a fun little competition. The public was challenged to upload an Instagram Story to celebrate DNetwork’s birthday which contains prayers and hopes for DNetwork in the future. Creativity and originality were the main aspects to determine the winners. It turned out that the public were quite enthusiastic; the posts uploaded were quite numerous and varied. Some made simple video clips either with Indonesian spoken/written language or sign language, edited photos, made poetry, and played the song “Happy Birthday” with traditional musical instruments.

Various prayers and hopes were conveyed, especially for DNetwork to have a broader positive impact to create an inclusive Indonesia in the future. All these prayers and hopes really fuel our enthusiasm to start this new year.

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has made a huge impact on society. The disability community is one of the most affected. The increasingly limited access to various things, including work, is a formidable challenge and indicates that the movement to create an inclusive society in Indonesia has a long way to go.

DNetwork – Jaringan Kerja Disabilitas is committed to continue to be part of the movement towards inclusive society, especially in terms of employment. Even though throughout 2020 the level of disability employment has dropped dramatically, DNetwork hopes that the beginning of 2021 will bring new enthusiasm for companies and the business sector to boost their inclusivity.

Therefore, in November 2020 DNetwork launched the #KantorRamahDisabilitas (disability friendly offices) campaign via social media consisting of encouragement for companies to build an inclusive work environment, educational materials on how to work with various types of disabilities, inspiring stories from employees with disabilities and inclusive companies, as well as webinars on similar themes.

The Aku Mampu program, which was initiated by DNetwork - Jaringan Kerja Disabilitas supported by YSEALI Seeds for the Future, has entered its second phase which focuses on the entrepreneurship theme, with the title "Aku Mampu Berbisnis". This program is in line with the increasing number of people with disabilities turning to entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic and considering the large opportunities in this field. DNetwork chose Femalepreneur Indonesia, an entrepreneurial learning forum with community members of more than 3,000 entrepreneurs throughout the nation, as a partner who provides modules and mentors to run this program.

In “Aku Mampu Berbisnis”, there are three main activities for people with disabilities who own businesses. First, the Zoom class which is divided into four sessions over two weeks. The four classes are themed; Entrepreneurial Mindset, Business Planning, Prototyping & Product Testing, and Marketing Through Text and Images. Second, online mentoring via WhatsApp where all participants are allowed to ask questions and consult about their business every evening for two hours. Third, the selection of the five best participants to receive intensive mentoring for business development and small grant as a business capital of Rp 2,000,000 each. Activities have started at the end of October 2020, attended by more than 70 business owners with disabilities, and will last until early December 2020.

After successfully holding five online classes for persons with disabilities, as a part of the Aku Mampu program, DNetwork also conducted various outreach to the wider community regarding disability issues, especially those related to employment. The socialization was carried out in various ways and targets different audiences. Even so, the goal was one; to raise public awareness of the importance of collaboration in creating an inclusive society.

All socialization activities were held online, in collaboration with various parties. On Tuesday (29/9), DNetwork explained about job opportunities for Indonesians with disabilities in front of the South Tangerang City government, all heads of city agencies, sub-district heads, and representatives of the disability community in an event held by the South Tangerang City Development Planning Agency (Bappeda). Then, Sunday (4/10), DNetwork had a fruitful discussion with the Special Education students from UNS. Meanwhile, on Monday (5/10), DNetwork was interviewed by Denpasar City Public Radio in a live broadcast that highlighted the inclusivity issue.

DNetwork also hopes to reach more layers of society to be more aware of disability issues. Therefore, campaigns through social media are also carried out regularly. Arrohma Sukma, a woman with a disability who is known to the public as a mountain climber and entrepreneur, is recruited by DNetwork as an ambassador for Aku Mampu who will help to amplify the messages brought by DNetwork.