You do agree that a job can benefit your basic needs, don’t you? A job also gives social benefits to you, to your family and to people around you. But when we enter a working environment for the first time, we often face difficulties to adapt due to lacking of work experiences, unqualified educational background and/or or limited number of jobs available.

When you get a job, many young people and young workers do not have much choice. We are faced with the vulnerability of losing a job, doing any job to only gain experience, and sometimes even choosing low-paying jobs. Not to mention the issue of young people who cannot claim their rights for fear of being fired, or labeled as troublemakers.

Rapid change in the work field and working conditions, leading to greater flexibility in labour markets. The flexibility includes: flexible working hours, short-term employment contracts, mobile work locations, flexibility in pay arrangements, and the ease of hiring or firing workers. This condition has resulted many younger workers take jobs in informal sectors which usually are low earnings, lack of protection, lay-offs without notice or compensation, and the absence of social security benefits such as health insurance or pensions.

Did you know that youths are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults? This is due to the large number of employers trust adult workers more than young workers.

Then, how can we prepare to adapt in the labour market? First, we need to understand that we have a right to get a decent job and get protection as workers at the same time.

Decent work includes job opportunities with competent incomes, workplace safety, social protection, opportunities for self-development, freedom of expression and join an union, and equal treatment and opportunities for all. We have to make sure that the workplace does not discriminate against workers due to differences in sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or other circumstances such as disability.

We must be aware that Indonesia has ratified a number of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions to protect the rights of workers. Conventions are adapted in national regulations, such as the Labour Law No. 13/2003.

Countries that have ratified the ILO Conventions should adopt approved standards, for example minimum age standards for employment, salary, working time, worker’s protection, occupational health and safety, and labor inspection.

We must understand our rights as young workers by understanding the rules of employment in order not to be exploited in the work field. By understanding our rights, we will also understand those who can help resolve disputes or conflicts in the work field, if they occur.

Make sure you do not stop learning on this video only. There are many other things that are interesting and important to learn to prepare ourselves entering labour market on the next video!

Let’s be aware of our rights at work!