Indonesian Labor Group Urges Workers' Rights Protection in National Internship Program
Reporter
October 13, 2025 | 01:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Association of All Indonesian Workers' Union (Aspirasi) warns the government against overlooking workers' rights and protection in the upcoming national internship program. The program will kick off on October 20, 2025.
Aspirasi President Mirah Sumirat said providing interns with allowance equivalent to the Regional Minimum Wage serves as a strategic step to bolster workers' competence. But she warned that the program must not be misused by companies to evade their labor obligations.
"The government must regulate a clear time limit or comprehensive training structure for this program," said Mirah in a written statement on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Another pivotal aspect in this program, she went on, is for the government to bar companies from replacing permanent employees with interns.
Aspirasi, she said, pushes for interns in this program to be given priority to be recruited as permanent employees after the program ends, in order to open up employment opportunities and improve welfare.
"The government must carry out strong supervision and involve labor unions," she said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower has extended the registration period for companies interested in participating in the 2025 National Internship Program for fresh college and university graduates. Head of Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Manpower, Sunardi Manampiar Sinaga, stated that the extension until Wednesday, October 15, was given in response to the high enthusiasm of applicants for the internship program.
Based on Ministry of Manpower data up to October 12, 2025, 1,112 companies have registered for this program. Prospective internship participants can view the list of company names through the website maganghub.kemnaker.go.id.
The 2025 national internship is a government program aimed at providing opportunities for recent graduates from universities to gain work experience. The internship lasts for six months with a quota of 20 thousand university graduates.
Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya said the national internship participants will receive an allowance equivalent to the minimum wage in the region where the participants work.
For example, interns in Jakarta will receive an allowance of Rp5.4 million to Rp5.5 million per month, in accordance with the Jakarta Regional Minimum Wage of Rp5.4 million per month.
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's National Internship Registration Extended Until Next Wednesday
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