Indonesian journalists face job losses and weak legal protectionCEFR A2
6 Dec 2025
Adapted from Arpan Rachman, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Mufid Majnun, Unsplash
Journalists in Indonesia report more unfair work, job losses and weak legal protection. Labour disputes usually start with mediation between the company and the worker. If mediation fails, the Manpower Office runs a tripartite process and a mediator makes a recommendation. If both sides reject it, the case goes to the Industrial Relations Court and can be appealed.
On 27 August 2024, a group of journalists were dismissed after forming a union and some filed a lawsuit. The employer filed an appeal and the case will wait another 155 days. The dispute has left some workers without wages. Other journalists were also dismissed without notice. Advocacy groups say many journalists earn less than the regional minimum wage and freelancers face exploitation.
Difficult words
- mediation — meeting with both sides to solve a problem
- mediator — person who helps both sides talk and agree
- appeal — ask a higher authority to change a decisionappealed
- dismiss — to end someone's job or remove someonedismissed
- union — group of workers who act together
- wage — money a worker earns for workwages
- freelancer — a worker paid per job, not employed full-timefreelancers
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you join a union at work? Why or why not?
- How would you feel if you did not get wages for some time?
- What could a mediator do to help workers and a company?
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