International Young Christian Worker (IYCW) Asia Pacific

“I work at PT. Tirta Alam Segar in Bekasi, West Java, as a machine operator. I worked from January 2023 with a work contract for 3 months and was paid wages below the minimum wage, and now my work contract has ended, and the company has not renewed my work contract, the company is looking for new workers to replace my work position. Since the Perpu Cipta Kerja came into effect in Indonesia, companies have become more flexible and feel legal in implementing a system of short contract work and wages below the minimum wage for their workers. I am currently unemployed, and trying to find another job. Saeful Fauzi, 21 years old, Indonesia”

Young Christian Workers around the world are commemorating the International Week of Young Workers (from April 25-May 1) to reflect on life and work situations, especially on different issues such as unemployment, contractual work, migration, low wages and income, informal work, issues of gender equality in our society and the continued violation of the legitimate rights of workers and young people.

In Asia Pacific, YCW Philippines and YCW Indonesia share the same situation of young workers, the unemployment rate in these countries is growing which resulted in an increasing number of informal work, wherein their daily life becomes more and more vulnerable due to lack of social recognition, social security and protection from the state.

The wage of the workers mandated by the law (minimum wage) was not respected and there are many cases that the workers don’t receive this minimum wage. Therefore workers choose to work long hours just to increase their income. They have no other choice but to swallow the system of capitalism despite inhuman working conditions of work, forced overtime, lack of benefits, and no security at work that caused illegal dismissal, harassment, and violence to women workers.  The current conditions of the wage in some countries in Asia, a decent wage is not yet felt by the workers and is still far from reality because labor laws and rights of the workers are not strictly implemented and new forms of work have emerged for which there is no protection against abuses like the “Perppu Cipta Kerja” in Indonesia and contractualization scheme in Asia.

YCW-Australia and YCW-Japan campaign for solidarity and support to its workers for many young workers in these countries face depression, stress at work, loneliness, and lacking community life. Thanks to YCW that we provide space for these young workers to express themselves.

The situation of Young workers in YCW Pakistan experiences inhumane working conditions due to long working hours in exchange for low wages, lack of social security, no benefits, discrimination at work, and seasonal work. This situation is also reflected in YCW India and YCW Sri Lanka where the young workers face extreme poverty and poor working and living conditions. Many young people suffer from the impact of High inflation rates in these countries due to political and economic problems.

Thus, the economic system in Asia-Pacific was designed not to provide job security and safety at work, but it serves the interest of the market (money over people). Jobs become a commodity where the values, dreams, dignity, and rights of workers are ignored for the sake of greater profit. Pope Francis himself calls on businessmen to put people first before profits.

As a movement of young workers, we demand to live a dignified life, work that respects our workers’ rights, provides just wages and salaries, and social protection for everyone. We want to have safe working conditions and will allow workers to exercise the right to organize themselves collectively.

As we celebrate the IWYW 2023, we call on young Christian workers in the Asia Pacific to continue to reflect and discern our reality, always find the motivation to change our situation, and take action no matter how small it is.

Young Workers are not the future, because we are the present!

“We are young, we are workers, fighting for dignity.”