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

Journalists and media workers in Indonesia report a rise in unfair working conditions, job losses and weak legal protection for labour cases. The formal dispute process starts with mediation between the company and worker. If mediation fails, the Manpower Office runs a tripartite process and a mediator makes a recommendation. If both sides reject that, the case goes to the Industrial Relations Court and can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

On 27 August 2024, Taufiqurrohman, who previously worked with CNN Indonesia and now publishes podcasts twice a week, and thirteen colleagues were dismissed after forming a union. Eight of them sued the TV station. Trans Media Corpora filed an appeal, meaning both sides must wait another 155 days. The ten-month dispute left some workers without wages and a judge denied an interim injunction for wages. Global Voices contacted CNN Indonesia and Trans Media Corpora but received no response.

In another case, Bethriq Kindy Arrazy and five other journalists were dismissed without notice by PT Portal Media Nusantara. The Press Council does not intervene in labour disputes because it lacks jurisdiction, though the council says it is under pressure to pay more attention. Advocacy groups such as AJI report many journalists earn below the regional minimum wage, are paid per story, lack insurance and face obstacles to forming unions.