Indonesia Advances Disability Inclusion in Employment with New ILO Study and UN Support
Indonesia is strengthening its commitment to disability-inclusive employment through a new study commissioned by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and supported by the United Nations. The initiative aims to improve compliance with existing employment quotas for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and bolster broader disability employment strategies.
Indonesia’s Commitment to Inclusive Growth
Indonesia’s participation in the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, beginning in June 2023, underscores its dedication to inclusive and job-rich growth. This commitment was further reinforced with the endorsement of the Indonesia Roadmap for the Global Accelerator by the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) in June 2025, alongside the launch of development cooperation projects funded by the Joint SDG Fund Joint SDG Fund.
Addressing Employment Quota Challenges
Indonesian Law No. 8/2016 mandates that public institutions employ at least 2% and private companies at least 1% of persons with disabilities. Despite this legal framework, challenges in enforcement and compliance persist. To address these issues, the ILO conducted a comparative study examining quota schemes and enabling ecosystems in Indonesia and seven other East and Southeast Asian countries: PR China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The ILO study analyzes legislative frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, compliance profiles, and innovative practices. It provides actionable recommendations to strengthen Indonesia’s quota system and enhance its overall disability employment strategy. The study’s findings will be presented to relevant ministries and social partners at a validation and dissemination event on March 10, 2026, to inform final policy recommendations.
UN-Indonesia Partnership for Sustainable Development
This initiative is part of a broader, renewed partnership between the Indonesian Government and the United Nations, formalized through the Indonesia–United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030. This framework aligns with Indonesia’s national development priorities and focuses on three transformative outcomes: Human Development, Nature, Decarbonization, and Resilience, and Economic and Digital Transformation. The UN Joint Programme ‘Accelerating SDGs Investments in Indonesia’ (ASSIST JP), backed by the UN Joint SDG Fund, provides a strategic framework to scale sustainable finance and support these goals.
Looking Ahead
The dissemination event on March 10, 2026, represents a crucial step in translating research into policy and practice. By strengthening disability-inclusive employment, Indonesia aims to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all its citizens, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.