Angka Pengangguran Naik, Indonesia Hadapi Krisis Lapangan Kerja dan PHK Massal | SPECIAL REPORT

Summary

Indonesia faces a rising unemployment crisis, with figures hitting the highest in Southeast Asia as of February 2025. Contributing factors include limited job absorption, widespread layoffs (PHK), and the global economic slowdown. Job fairs have become a popular, though challenging, solution for job seekers, often resulting in overcrowding and accidents. The government has implemented measures like removing age restrictions for applicants and encouraging job creation in both public and private sectors. However, experts warn that economic stagnation and automation pose significant hurdles to sustainable employment growth, leaving the country grappling with high joblessness.

Takeaways

• 😀 Unemployment in Indonesia has increased as of February 2025, with the IMF identifying it as the highest in Southeast Asia.
• 😀 Job fairs in various Indonesian cities, like Jakarta and Semarang, have seen large crowds of job seekers, highlighting the difficulty in finding employment.
• 😀 Many job seekers have turned to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to search for opportunities, but many still struggle to get calls for interviews.
• 😀 In Jakarta, there were overwhelming numbers of applicants for the positions of Public Infrastructure and Facility Handling Officers (PPSU), with over 7,000 people applying for 1,000 positions in April 2025.
• 😀 In Batam, a job fair in April 2025 saw chaotic scenes with job seekers pushing each other, which led to several falling into ditches nearby, highlighting the intense competition for jobs.
• 😀 In Semarang, a job fair in May 2025 provided a ray of hope for those affected by layoffs, with 38 companies offering 2,000 job openings over two days.
• 😀 Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa of East Java announced the removal of age limits for job applicants, aiming to create a more inclusive job market, especially for older workers who have lost their jobs.
• 😀 The IMF reports that Indonesia has the highest unemployment rate among six Southeast Asian nations, with 7.28 million people currently unemployed out of 153.05 million workers.
• 😀 The number of layoffs (PHK) in Indonesia has risen compared to last year, with over 24,000 people laid off by April 2025, with the highest impacts in Central Java, Jakarta, and Riau.
• 😀 Despite the rise in unemployment, the Indonesian government has reported that 600,000 new jobs were created in the first quarter of 2025, with an increase in job absorption in the formal sector.
• 😀 Economists warn that the government's cautious approach to economic recovery, combined with slow private sector growth, may lead to an even higher number of layoffs in the future. There's a call for more action from state-owned enterprises (BUMN) to create jobs.

Q & A

What has caused the rise in unemployment in Indonesia as of February 2025?

The rise in unemployment in Indonesia has been attributed to several factors, including insufficient job absorption and the increase in layoffs (PHK). The global economic downturn has also played a role in the limited availability of job opportunities.

How are job fairs in Indonesia reacting to the unemployment situation?

Job fairs in various cities, such as in Jakarta and Semarang, have seen long lines of job seekers, ranging from new applicants to those looking for better job opportunities. The job fairs provide a platform for job seekers to find employment in response to the increasing difficulty in securing jobs.

What measures are being taken by the Indonesian government to address the unemployment issue?

One initiative to address unemployment is the removal of age restrictions for job applicants, as demonstrated by the Governor of East Java's policy. Additionally, efforts are being made to communicate with businesses to encourage inclusive recruitment practices and to support job creation through BUMN (State-Owned Enterprises).

What are the underlying factors contributing to the high unemployment rate in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia?

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the unemployment rate in Indonesia is the highest in Southeast Asia due to factors such as slow economic growth, the impact of the global economic slowdown, and the ongoing transformation in the workforce towards automation.

How has the workforce transformation towards automation impacted employment?

The ongoing transformation towards automation has been affecting employment for over 10 years, reducing the number of job opportunities, especially in sectors where digital and automated technologies are replacing manual labor. This shift has led to an increase in job losses and unemployment.

What are some of the challenges faced by job seekers in Indonesia based on recent events?

Job seekers are facing significant challenges, including overcrowded job fairs, as seen in places like Batam, where applicants were involved in pushing and falling into ditches. These incidents highlight the intense competition and difficulty in finding work, especially in a context where jobs are limited.

How many people are unemployed in Indonesia, and what is the primary cause?

As of the latest data, Indonesia has 7.28 million unemployed individuals. The primary cause of this unemployment is the lack of job absorption due to various factors, including layoffs and the ongoing economic challenges faced by the country.

What steps are being taken by regional governments to combat unemployment?

Regional governments, like in East Java, are removing age limits for job applicants to increase inclusivity and access to job opportunities. Additionally, job fairs and collaborations between local authorities and businesses are being organized to create job openings for those affected by layoffs.

How does the employment situation in Indonesia compare to other Southeast Asian countries?

Indonesia's unemployment rate is higher than that of other Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand. The IMF ranks Indonesia as having the highest unemployment rate in the region as of April 2024.

What is the government's stance on the role of BUMN in job creation?

The government believes that State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) can play a crucial role in job creation, especially those with large profits and dividends. These enterprises are encouraged to expand their operations to help absorb more workers, particularly in light of the challenges facing the private sector.