There are 8.4 Million Unemployed People in Indonesia, Majority Optimistic About Finding Work

According to data from the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker), the number of open unemployment in Indonesia reached 8.4 million people in August 2022.

More than half of these unemployed individuals are optimistic because they are actively seeking work (60.7%). A smaller percentage have already been offered jobs but haven't started yet (3.6%), or are preparing to start their own businesses (2.3%).

However, a significant number of Indonesian unemployed individuals are categorized as discouraged workers (33.4%), with the details shown in the graph.

"Due to low levels of education, they have no hope of finding employment," said Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah in a press release on Wednesday (17/1/2023).

"This indicates that their education level has not adequately prepared them for the job market, either due to low education levels or insufficient competencies," she continued.

The government has implemented measures to reduce unemployment, one of which is the Kartu Prakerja (Pre-Employment Card) program launched in April 2020.

This program targets job seekers, furloughed or laid-off workers, non-wage earners, micro/small business owners, and individuals requiring upskilling or reskilling.

For this year, the first registration period for Kartu Prakerja opened on February 17, 2023, with an initial quota of 10,000 participants.

Potential participants can register independently through the website www.prakerja.go.id without representation.

After registering, prospective participants must undergo a selection process consisting of a Basic Competency Test (TKD)/Learning Ability Test (SKB) on the website.

The TKD/SKB test is conducted online and lasts approximately 40 minutes, comprising verbal and quantitative reasoning tests.

After passing the test, participants in the 2023 Kartu Prakerja program will receive a total incentive of Rp4.2 million per person.

This incentive consists of Rp3.5 million for training costs, Rp600,000 in post-training incentives, and Rp100,000 in survey incentives for completing two surveys.

"Once you have successfully obtained the Kartu Prakerja, immediately utilize the training assistance effectively to participate in training that suits your needs and interests," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in a press release on Friday (17/2/2023).