Brilio.net - Finding a job is a challenge experienced by many people in Indonesia. The tight competition in this modern era is increasingly felt, even by college graduates.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) revealed that there were 7.86 million unemployed in August 2023. Although down from the previous year, this figure is still higher than the era before the Covid-19 pandemic which reached 7.10 million in August 2019.
The difficult situation of finding a job is depicted in a video uploaded by the TikTok account @n.ranti2. The video shows hundreds of applicants pushing to take part in a walk-in interview at a factory in Tangerang.
photo: TikTok/@n.ranti2
They stood in line in front of the factory carrying brown folders containing job application files. However, the atmosphere was out of control because applicants seemed to be fighting to get inside to get a faster interview opportunity.
Although detailed information about the name of the factory and the type of work is not included in the video, the moment clearly shows the enthusiasm of the job seekers. In the video caption, the account owner wrote that he hopes that they all can get the opportunity to work.
" They are struggling to get a job, it's okay, we were stuck in traffic on the way to work, hopefully you can get a job ," wrote the TikTok account @n.ranti2.
photo: TikTok/@n.ranti2
The large number of applicants is also evidence of the lack of formal employment opportunities in Indonesia. Many have turned to the informal sector, an option that is considered more accessible.
According to BPS data, formal sector workers have continued to decline in the last 15 years, while the informal sector has increased drastically. In 2024, as many as 84.13 million people will work in the informal sector, while the formal sector will only accommodate 58.5 million workers.
The high unemployment rate is also seen in the younger generation. BPS said there are 9.9 million generation Z who do not continue their education and are also not working.
photo: TikTok/@n.ranti2
This condition makes many netizens feel concerned when watching the video. The video has been watched more than 1.5 million times and received more than 4,000 comments.
" It's hard to find work in Indonesia....age limit is set....graduates must go to college ," commented @rafaelhamizhan.
" Now it's hard for undergraduates to find work. What's wrong with our country ," said @jthqkatahati.
" Oh my God, it's sad to see ," said @ahsyarif96.
" Oh my God, to that extent, people really want to work, it's easy and everyone gets accepted, please, government people, try to see how hard it is for people to find work, they really want to work ," wrote @frdalaydrss_.