Jakarta: Indonesian journalists are calling for better pay and job protection amidst a backdrop of declining democratic freedoms in the country. Journalists, like other workers, have rights that are supposed to be safeguarded through a structured labor dispute process, beginning with mediation and potentially escalating to a tripartite process with the Manpower Office if necessary.
According to Global Voices, the challenges faced by journalists are highlighted by the case of Taufiqurrohman and his colleagues, who were terminated by Trans Media Corpora after forming a union. The ongoing legal battle, now in its tenth month, has severely impacted their livelihoods, forcing Taufiqurrohman to take up work as a taxi driver to support his family. Despite being entitled to Social Security benefits and wages until a final legal decision, the journalists have yet to receive any financial support due to a denied interim injunction for wages. Efforts to obtain comments from CNN Indonesia and Trans Media Corpora have been unsuccessful.
In a similar instance, Bethriq Kindy Arrazy and others were dismissed from Pinusi without prior notice, with the employer pushing for court intervention to resolve the dispute. Arrazy suggests that the Press Council should verify the media conditions, yet the Council lacks jurisdiction in such labor disputes, as noted by Abdul Manan, chair of the Press Council's Legal and Legislation Commission.
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has reported numerous violations of journalists' rights by media companies, with Edi Faisol of AJI highlighting the persistent issue of layoffs and inadequate compensation in the media sector. Faisol points out that many journalists struggle to meet basic expenses, leading to a rise in freelance work. AJI is actively engaging with the Ministry of Manpower to address these concerns and ensure adherence to labor regulations.
The controversial Job Creation Law has exacerbated these issues, according to Ikhsan Raharjo, Chairman of the Media and Creative Industries Workers Union (SINDIKASI). The Constitutional Court's recent decision to invalidate certain labor clauses in the law provides an opportunity to address the needs of freelance journalists, a sector often overlooked in legislation. SINDIKASI is advocating for Collective Labor Agreements to protect freelancers and ensure basic employment standards.
Despite these efforts, transparency in communication, fair severance, and support for laid-off journalists remain lacking, with numerous media workers dismissed and deprived of their Social Security benefits due to unpaid company dues. Raharjo emphasizes the urgent need for reform, especially as Indonesia faces a decline in press freedom and a flawed democracy rating, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit and the World Press Freedom Index.
The changing media landscape, with more Indonesians accessing news online and through social media platforms, poses additional financial challenges, as only a small percentage are willing to pay for online news. Raharjo stresses the importance of considering journalists' welfare in this evolving environment.