A Stamp for social justice: Indonesia’s commitment to Responsible Business Conduct

JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) - The ILO, in collaboration with Pos Indonesia, the state-owned postal service of Indonesia, has officially issued a special First Day Cover and commemorative stamp highlighting Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and Decent Work. Featuring imagery of workers in the electronics industry, the First Day Cover, comprising a specially designed envelope and stamp, was launched in conjunction with the World Day of Social Justice, observed annually on 20 February.

This initiative forms part of a broader set of strategic actions under the ILO's Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains in Asia (RISSC) project in Indonesia, funded by the Government of Japan. Through the RISSC project, the ILO supports efforts to strengthen resilient, inclusive and sustainable global supply chains, particularly in the electronics sector, as a pathway to advancing decent work, addressing human and labour rights risks, and building forward better in the wake of recent global disruptions.

The launch of the Declaration is followed by the issuance of a First Day Cover (FDC) on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and decent work in Indonesia. 2/2026

The launch of the First Day Cover coincided with several milestones underscoring Indonesia's growing commitment to the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda, supported by the ILO's RISSC project. These included the adoption of a Declaration of Joint Government-Business Commitment on Business and Human Rights on 12 February, the issuance of a Joint Trade Union Position Paper on 13 February, and the endorsement of the University Network Consensus on 18 February. Together, these developments reflect a strengthened multi-stakeholder approach - bringing together government, employers, workers and academia - to ensure that economic progress advances in tandem with respect for fundamental principles and rights at work.

"The First Day Cover stands as a symbol of collective action toward a more just, inclusive and sustainable future of work," said Tauvik Muhamad, Project Coordinator of the ILO's RISSC project. "Its issuance serves not only as a commemorative gesture, but also as a powerful advocacy tool. By leveraging the cultural and historical significance of stamps, this initiative seeks to raise broader public awareness about the importance of integrating human rights principles into business practices."

During the signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration, the First Day Cover was presented to key labour stakeholders, including representatives of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Manpower, as well as the chairpersons of Indonesian Employers' Association (APINDO) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). The Declaration affirms a shared commitment to respect human rights and decent work as foundations for sustainable enterprises and resilient economies and supply chains.

Handover of the First Day Cover and commemorative stamp on RBC and Decent Work to union confederations in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 13 February 2026.

The First Day Cover was also awarded to representatives of ten trade union confederations during the launch of the Trade Union Position Paper, marking their unified commitment to shaping Indonesia's evolving regulatory framework on responsible business conduct. In addition, six leading universities - University of Indonesia, Padjadjaran University, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Parahyangan Catholic University, Paramadina University and Indonesia Jentera School of Law - received the First Day Cover during the endorsement of the University Network Consensus, recognizing academia's critical role in advancing research, education and policy dialogue on business and human rights.

The First Day Cover highlights the four pillars of the Joint Declaration on BHR, emphasizing the integration of human rights into responsible business conduct to boost productivity, build a skilled workforce, and promote sustainable economies and supply chains. It calls on Indonesian businesses to adopt RBC in line with national policies and international standards, ensure compliance with labour laws and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and advance skills development and decent work across operations. It also supports policies and actions to accelerate RBC uptake across sectors, including through stronger bipartite mechanisms, human rights due diligence and social dialogue.

The First Day Cover stands as a symbol of collective action toward a more just, inclusive and sustainable future of work. Its issuance serves not only as a commemorative gesture, but also as a powerful advocacy tool.

Tauvik Muhamad, Project Coordinator of the ILO's RISSC project