Said Iqbal Sworn In as Prabowo Special Adviser

Said Iqbal was formally sworn in at Istana Kepresidenan, Jakarta, on Monday (8/6), as Special Adviser to the President on Employment and Workers' Welfare. It is his first public office after decades as a labor leader, and he continues to lead Konfederasi Serikat Pekerja Indonesia (KSPI) and Partai Buruh. A day after the inauguration, Iqbal addressed concerns that he would lose his critical stance toward the government. He said the labor movement has long used a strategy of concepts, lobbying and action, so engaging with power is not taboo. In his view, decisions on wages, social security and prices are political products, so workers need to enter decision-making spaces for their demands to be accepted.