Youth Rights @ Work Campaign

Pay Attention to the Conditions of Work

This article is one of six articles about youth rights at work as part of the ILO's efforts and campaign in promoting decent work for all, including youth. The article is part of the ILO's Youth Rights @ Work Campaign.

Article | Jakarta, Indonesia | 15 January 2018

As young people who are just entering the working field and as new workers in the workplace, we often just focus on the work. We also often ignore, in fact, do not know any labour standards that govern the hours of work, rest time, salary, and work leave to be provided by employer.

As a member country of the International Labor Organization (ILO) since 1950, Indonesia has ratified the convention on labour standards and regulates it in Law no. 13/2003 on Employment. This Law regulates working hours limitation for 8 hours per day or 40 hours a week. Overtime allowance shall be granted if works over time limit. Workers also have the right to rest for 30 minutes after working for four consecutive hours and get time off at least one day a week.

If you work more than 48 hours per week, you have a risk of mental health problems. And if you work more than 60 hours per week, you are at risk for cardiovascular disease. You sure do not want to get sick because of just thinking about work and forget your health condition, right?

In addition to working hours, you also need to understand about wages or salaries. The amount of salary is arranged by mutual agreement between employer and worker according to the applicable regulations. Make sure you keep up to date on the regional minimum wage regulation so you know the minimum salary you should receive in accordance with the area you work for. You are also entitled to get an extra off base salary if working overtime or working on a holiday.

When receiving a paycheck for the work you have done, make sure you ask for a paycheck containing the information:

  1. Gross pay, i.e. salary before tax or national insurance
  2. The amount of deductions
  3. Total net salary after deductions

Employers are eligible to deduct salary, only if:

  1. Required by applicable regulations, such as taxes and national insurance
  2. According to the points in the contract mutually agreed upon with worker
  3. The deduction has been agreed to in writing by the employee before it is deducted

As a worker, you are entitled to a work leave or work break. Different types of leave are entitled to a worker, among others:

  1. Annual leave of 12 days a year if you have worked for a year at your workplace
  2. Sick leave so you can recover quickly
  3. Maternity leave for all female workers while pregnant. This leave can be taken for 3 months without payroll deductions
  4. Public holidays
  5. Leave due to important necessities such as marriage, sick family members, and so on which range from 1 to 3 days.
  6. Paternity leave for male worker to accompany his wife during childbirth or postpartum help. These leave range from 2 to 15 days with no salary deductions, but only available in certain countries
From now on, make sure you receive your employment rights over working hours, wages, and work leave. Do not let yourself to be the victim of exploitation of work!

Let's be aware of our rights at work!