Indonesian journalists face job losses and weak protections ^{CEFR B1}

Journalists in Indonesia describe a rise in unfair working conditions, including low pay, short-term contracts and difficulty claiming benefits after dismissal. Advocacy groups such as the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) report that many journalists earn less than the Regional Minimum Wage, that payment per story and lack of job or health insurance are common, and that freelancer exploitation is widespread.

The labour dispute process for journalists follows the same steps as for other workers: mediation between company and worker; if that fails, the Manpower Office runs a tripartite process and a mediator makes a recommendation; rejected cases go to the Industrial Relations Court and can be appealed to the Supreme Court. For example, on August 27, 2024, Taufiqurrohman and thirteen colleagues were fired by Trans Media Corpora after forming a union. Eight sued, and an appeal added 155 days to the process. A judge denied an interim injunction for wages, leaving some without pay.

The Constitutional Court invalidated labour clauses of the Job Creation Law on October 31, 2024 and ordered a new Labour Law within two years. SINDIKASI has negotiated collective agreements since November 9, 2022 and says over two hundred freelance journalists and interns have benefited.