Building a secure future: Young Indonesians share why social protection matters

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) – As young people prepare to enter an increasingly uncertain labour market, understanding social protection is becoming more important than ever. To strengthen youth awareness and preparedness, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized an interactive discussion on the breaking the cycle of Sandwich Generation and the role of social protection in securing young people's future.

Held in Yogyakarta in May, the discussion brought together more than 60 students, lecturers and partner organizations. The event formed part of the ILO Youth Network, which works with universities across Indonesia to encourage young people to engage in discussions on employment and the future of work. It was also supported by the ILO's Promoting and Building Social Protection in Indonesia project, funded by the Government of Japan.

Following the event, the ILO spoke with participants to hear their reflections on social protection. As job insecurity, informal employment and non-standard forms of work become more common, many young people see social protection as an essential foundation for making informed decisions about their careers, finances and future well-being.

"Our generation needs social protection more than ever"

© ILO

© ILO

For many young people, retirement feels like a distant concern. But for Hanif Abdullah Dzakwan, a 21-year-old student from Faculty of Law at University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), the future is already something worth thinking about.

As a member of Generation Z, Hanif says he often wonders what kind of work awaits him after graduation. Like many of his peers, he is concerned about whether he will be able to find decent work in an increasingly uncertain world and whether he will one day be able to support his family and improve their economic well-being.

"Many people still think social protection is an issue for older generations," Hanif said. "But with today's uncertain labour market, young people need to start learning about it now. We are entering a world of short-term contracts, part-time jobs and freelance work. In many ways, our generation is the one that needs social protection the most."

Freedom at work is not only about being able to work from anywhere. It is also about having peace of mind, knowing that our future is protected.

Hanif believes young people should stop seeing social protection as merely an administrative burden. "It is our safety net when times become difficult," he explained. "Freedom at work is not only about being able to work from anywhere. It is also about having peace of mind, knowing that our future is protected."

He also appreciated the opportunity provided by the ILO Youth Network to discuss the growing phenomenon of the Sandwich Generation, young adults who simultaneously support both their parents and their own families. "I learned a lot from the session. It made me realize how closely social protection is connected to our future.

“Planning for retirement starts while we are young”

© ILO

© ILO

For Feronika Meidiana, 23, the ILO Youth Network discussion on Sandwich Generation came at exactly the right moment. An aspiring data analyst with a degree in actuarial science, she was reminded of her undergraduate thesis on pensions during the session. Feronika found the session directly relevant to both her academic work and her personal aspirations.

"I learned so much because the discussion was closely related to my thesis," she said. "My studies focus on financial risk, insurance and pensions, so it also made me reflect on how important pension planning really is."

When looking for a job, don't only consider the salary. Find out whether the company provides social protection benefits, including a pension.

Although retirement may seem decades away, Feronika believes it is never too early to start preparing. "We don't know what our lives will look like when we are older," she explained. "Will we still be able to work? Will we have children who can support us? There are so many uncertainties, which is why we need to prepare while we are still young."

Her advice to fellow young people is practical and forward-looking. "When looking for a job, don't only consider the salary. Find out whether the company provides social protection benefits, including a pension. My hope is that one day I will be able to build a secure

“Social protection is a right for everyone”

© ILO

© ILO

For M. Ludfi Rahmawan, a 36-year-old village official who also serves as the focal point for coordinating social protection administration for residents of Gatak Delanggu Village in Klaten District, social protection is both a personal responsibility and a public commitment. He believes individuals should prepare for their future, but the government also has an important role in ensuring that every citizen has access to social protection.

"As citizens, we have a responsibility to prepare for retirement," Ludfi said. "But the state also has an obligation to provide a social protection system that ensures everyone is protected."

Social protection is a right for everyone. No matter what kind of work we do or how much we earn, everyone deserves to be protected.

Seeing many older people continue working long after retirement age has strengthened his conviction that planning ahead is essential.

"With today's global uncertainty, young people need to think beyond earning a decent income," he said. "They also need to invest in their future so that the hard work they do today can provide security and dignity in old age."

For Ludfi, social protection is ultimately about fairness and dignity. "Social protection is a right for everyone," he emphasized. "No matter what kind of work we do or how much we earn, everyone deserves to be protected."