Domestic Struggles and Opportunities Abroad: Employment Prospects for Communities and Graduates in Indonesia

VIONELLA IZZA M. (30802300023) 

Discussing the topic of employment is certainly a never-ending conversation in Indonesia. The large number of university graduates in Indonesia does not translate into an equal number of job opportunities. This has led to many graduates not being able to find jobs that are directly related to their majors, resulting in unemployment. Another factor contributing to unemployment is the high requirements and criteria for job applications. This has led to many young people and even adults choosing to work abroad and even settle there. Of course, desperately searching for job vacancies in Indonesia and choosing to look for work abroad each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, when we work in Indonesia, we can stay close to our families and don't have to deal with immigration paperwork, but of course, the salary we earn cannot be as high as working abroad. On the other hand, the fact that job opportunities in Indonesia are still limited and salaries are often not commensurate with the cost of living certainly encourages them to work abroad.

According to an article published by the Ministry of Manpower in May 2025, based on data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the open unemployment rate (TPT) in February 2025 was recorded at 4.76%, the lowest since the 1998 crisis. Job creation was significant, with an additional 3.59 million jobs. They also added that employment in the trade sector had increased. The increase in the trade sector involved new jobs for 980 people, while the agriculture and industry sectors also saw increases of 890 and 720 people, respectively. However, this data does not necessarily mean that unemployment in Indonesia can be immediately resolved. In reality, layoffs are still occurring everywhere, and many young people, especially those who have recently graduated from college, find it difficult to find jobs that are directly or indirectly related to their majors. Many of them choose to struggle to build their own businesses to earn an income without applying for jobs or going abroad.

Figure. 1. Illustration of Indonesian workers in Japan

Source: Golden Opportunity: Japan Needs 40,000 Indonesian Workers. CNN Indonesia.

However, on the other hand, the consideration of choosing to work abroad remains a hot topic of discussion, especially after the emergence of the “kabur aja dulu” phenomenon, which has certainly rekindled Indonesians' interest in working abroad. Many Indonesians want to seek business capital and also gain experience by working abroad first to build a business in Indonesia, according to CNN Indonesia. Japan has opened 40 jobs for Indonesians in Japan. Of course, this has attracted the attention of Indonesians, as stated by the Minister of Transmigration, M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara stated after meeting with the Association of Overseas Internship Organizers (AP2LN) in Osaka, Japan (September 28), "Dan yang lebih menarik dan membahagiakan kita saat ini adalah bahwa ternyata mereka, masyarakat Jepang sangat nge-value (menilai) tenaga kerja di Indonesia karena keramahtamahannya, hospitality-nya. Bahkan kita dianggap nomor satu di antara bangsa-bangsa yang lain sebagai tenaga kerja yang hadir di Jepang," This statement is certainly good news for people who want to find work abroad, especially in Japan.

In addition to Japan, South Korea and Australia are also two countries that are popular destinations for working abroad. Some jobs abroad do not require a college degree, but depend on the skills you have. Many of those who go abroad are high school graduates, which is certainly in contrast to Indonesia, where a bachelor's degree is often required, even though job opportunities are insufficient. Work programs in Europe, such as Aupair and Ausbildung, are also being widely discussed as a shortcut to going abroad. Through the au pair and Ausbildung programs, we can learn to exchange cultures while working and learning languages. In the Ausbildung program, we can even study and work in a field that is directly related to our major. With so many advantages and opportunities to work abroad, this will certainly increase the interest of Indonesians to pursue international careers.