inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Manpower is inviting the business and industrial sectors (DUDI) to collaborate to expand employment access for older workers, as the elderly population in Indonesia continues to grow.

"Therefore, an inclusive employment policy is needed to optimally utilize the potential of the elderly workforce," said Acting Director General of Manpower Placement and Expansion of Employment Opportunities at the Ministry of Manpower, Estiarty Haryani, on Thursday (4/16/2026).

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the proportion of the elderly population will reach approximately 11.93 percent of Indonesia's total population in 2025 and will continue to increase in line with rising life expectancy.

She further stated that this situation increasingly indicates that Indonesia is entering an aging society.

"However, on the other hand, the elderly workforce participation rate is still limited compared to other productive age groups. This indicates that there is still significant potential that has not been optimally utilized and requires collective attention," explained Esti.

These activities focused on expanding inclusive employment access for older workers, ensuring policy implementation continues at the normative level, and developing a sustainable and replicable national placement and empowerment model.

Esti emphasized that strengthening an inclusive employment ecosystem for older adults requires collaboration across stakeholders, including the government, business and industry, academia, communities, the media, and development partners.

"Collaboration is key to ensuring that policies are not only implementable but also have a real impact on the ground," she said.

(ad/ndt/pr/rs)