Book Discussion & Research Seminar “The Indonesian Labor Movement: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives”

On February 7, 2025, ARC UI collaborated with Lembaga Informasi Perburuhan Sedane (LIPS), Migrant CARE, and Jurnal Prisma to organized a book discussion of “Workers and the State in Indonesia”, followed by a research seminar titled “Labour in the Contradictions of Neoliberalism: Collective Organising in the Midst of Fragmentation.” The event focused on the ongoing struggles of Indonesia’s labor movement, particularly its persistent weaknesses in representing workers’ interests amid the complex relationships between labor, capital, and the state; featuring Prof. Vedi Hadiz (University of Melbourne) as the speaker, Diatyka W.P. Yasih, Ph.D. (Department of Sociology FISIP UI and ARC UI) as moderator, along with Dr. Irwansyah, S.Sos., M.A (Department of Politics FISIP UI) and Indrasari Tjandraningsih (AKATIGA) as discussants.

Dr. Irwansyah reflected that while labor-related writings in Indonesia are abundant, theoretical engagement with labor issues remains limited. Indrasari Tjandraningsih highlighted how labor flexibilisation and casualisation in Indonesia have contributed to the declining density of labor unions and weakened workers’ bargaining power vis-à-vis companies. Dr. Diatyka Widya Permata Yasih underscored the expansion of labour politics in the digital era, particularly among app-based workers such as ride-hailing drivers.

Overall, the dialogue reinforced the urgent need to organise freelance and precarious workers, explore new forms of collectivity, and adapt labor strategies to contemporary working realities. As Prof. Vedi Hadiz added, socio-political power must also evolve to keep pace with changing institutions and social norms in Indonesia.