HARIANMERDEKA.ID, Jakarta - The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) has released data showing that nearly 10 million people aged 15-24, or Gen Z, in Indonesia are unemployed or not engaged in work, education, or training (NEET). Of these, 5.2 million are in urban areas and 4.6 million in rural areas.
The Deputy Chairperson of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Kurniasih Mufidayati, responded seriously to this phenomenon. She stated that the high unemployment rate among Gen Z poses a serious threat to the demographic dividend expected to lead Indonesia to its Golden Era in 2045.
"The figure of 10 million unemployed Gen Z is a sign that our demographic dividend is not being managed properly. We need to recognise the importance of education that provides skills on one hand, and on the other, the necessity of creating broad job opportunities," Kurniasih said in her statement to Parlementaria in Jakarta, Wednesday (22/05).
The member of the PKS faction of the DPR RI also highlighted that Gen Z is increasingly squeezed by the high costs of higher education due to the increase in Single Tuition Fees (UKT). On the other hand, job opportunities require experience and have age limits, further complicating their situation.
"The younger generation needs special treatment, especially in terms of education and the job market. It is necessary to facilitate the establishment of educational institutions that offer currently needed skills and to provide broad opportunities from employers," added Kurniasih, a DPR RI member from the DKI Jakarta II electoral district.
Kurniasih also noted that the current labour force trend is dominated by informal workers. This indicates that the surge in job seekers is not matched by adequate job opportunities in the formal sector.
"Recently, there was a viral queue of job seekers at a food stall that was as crowded as a queue at a factory. This is concerning because many young people are not getting formal job opportunities and thus will take any job, including in the informal sector, where worker protection is still very weak," Kurniasih explained.
She stressed the need for serious attention to this issue to ensure that the demographic dividend can provide maximum benefits for Indonesia and avoid potential "time bombs" in the future. (Yus)
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