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. 

 

DNetwork and Accor Hotels Bali-Lombok signed a partnership agreement at the end of  November. This partnership is expected to open more employment opportunities for people with disabilities (PwD). However, DNetwork and Accor do not focus only on work placement. This collaboration will also prioritize the pre-training program for PwD to prepare them to enter the professional work environment. In the pre-training program, Accor and DNetwork aim to provide PwD with a variety of essential skills in the hospitality industry, such as English and computing skills.

"Through this program, we continue to support employment opportunities in our hotels and help maintain the spirit of diversity and inclusion in all our properties," said Sylvain Pasdeloup — General Manager of Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort who also serves as Area Manager of Accor Bali- Lombok — to the journalists who attended the signing of the partnership agreement event at Amarterra Villas Nusa Dua Bali.

Last September, the DNetwork team visited Surabaya for four days to attend a series of events. On Monday 9th September 2019, DNetwork held its first Surabaya Jobseekers Gathering, in collaboration with Surabaya State University’s Disability Study and Service Centre. The event was a great success, with more than 50 jobseekers attending. During the Jobseekers Gathering, which focused on “Professionalism in the Workplace”,  two speakers from Alfamidi and Jawa Pos shared their views and experience.
On the second and third day, the DNetwork team participated in a Job Fair, which was organized by the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration East Java Province. Jobseekers with a disability came from across East Java to visit DNetwork’s booth to get information related to job vacancies for people with disabilities. DNetwork also managed to spread the word about workplace inclusivity to many of the companies who participated in the Job Fair.
On the last day, the DNetwork team set up a few meetings with potential collaborators; from government officials and business associations to education institutes. DNetwork also paid a visit to Reika, one of DNetwork’s Surabaya users who now works as a cashier at Alfamidi. What a fruitful visit this was!

DNetwork has successfully held its fourth Jobseekers Gathering event in Bali and the first one in Jakarta. Jobseekers Gathering is one of DNetwork's regular events that aims to gather jobseekers with disabilities and empower them with new skills and/or knowledge that would help them to kick-start their professional careers.
 
The event in Bali was held on Thursday, August 8th 2019 at the Annika Linden Centre. During this event, three speakers from Alfamart, Movenpick Hotel, and Berlin Gastro Kitchen shared their views on professionalism and their experience working with employees with disabilities. Meanwhile, the event in Jakarta was held on Tuesday, September 3rd 2019 at a craft workshop run by Precious One. Precious One, which provides a marketplace for products created by people with disabilities, partnered with DNetwork to run this event. Unlike the event in Bali, this one focused on making the participants aware that 'working' doesn't always mean being employed in an office, but can also mean becoming an entrepreneur from home. In addition to providing some insight into entrepreneurship, the participants also received a free workshop on how to make a customized pouch.

This year, DNetwork has started to reach out not only to local companies and job seekers with disabilities but also to final-year students at special needs schools. The idea behind this is to encourage the students to try land a job or enrol in a training program directly after they graduate. It also makes them aware that DNetwork is ready to assist them with this process. It is truly wonderful to see the manifestation of this idea. Recently, six special needs school graduates were accepted as daily workers at Berlin Gastro Kitchen Bali, as well as in training programs at Courtyard Resort Seminyak and The Pavilion Hotel Sanur. The DNetwork team joined them on their first day of work and facilitated an orientation session which included an explanation on how to work with people with disabilities. Hopefully, this program can continue and will encourage more special needs schools and companies to get on board.