Indonesian Lecturers Protest Workloads, Claim MBG Budget Could Fund 100 Research Projects

Academics in Yogyakarta, represented by the Indonesian Labor Assembly (MPBI), have voiced strong concerns over their working conditions and the allocation of national resources. Lecturers from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), a leading institution, highlighted the immense pressure of their workloads, which extend far beyond traditional teaching hours due to a 'coercive system' that demands constant availability. This, coupled with salaries and incentives often falling below the regional minimum wage, forces many into precarious financial situations, impacting their rest and family life.

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My fellow laborers, although the profession of a lecturer often seems flashy, our work is actually beyond reason.

A particularly contentious issue raised is the government's prioritization of the Free Nutritious Food (MBG) program. Lecturers argue that substantial funding, previously directed towards higher education through the Directorate General of Higher Education (Dikti), has been rerouted to the MBG program under the guise of efficiency. This reallocation has severely curtailed research opportunities, with a stark comparison made: the budget for a single day of the MBG program could reportedly fund 100 research projects for lecturers for an entire year.

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We seem to have to work 24 hours. In addition to teaching, we prepare materials, grade assignments, conduct research, and perform community service outside normal hours.

This situation has led to widespread demoralization among academics, who feel their research and scientific publication efforts are being stifled. The loss of previous support, such as incentives for language translation crucial for international journals, further exacerbates the problem. Access to research funds has become highly competitive and restricted, denying many the equal opportunity to contribute to knowledge creation. The lecturers' demands, including the passage of a new Labor Law separate from the Omnibus Law, reflect a deep-seated frustration with current policies that they believe are stagnating the research environment and undermining the academic profession.

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The budget for a single day of MBG implementation, reaching Rp1 trillion, could actually fund 100 research projects for 100 lecturers for a full year.

From an Indonesian perspective, this is not just about academic freedom but about the nation's future intellectual capital. While international coverage might focus on the economic aspects of the MBG program, local reporting emphasizes the detrimental impact on higher education and research capacity. The UGM lecturers' union, through their participation in the May Day rally, is sending a clear message: investing in education and research is paramount for national development, and current policies are failing to recognize this critical need. The stark contrast between the MBG budget and research funding highlights a perceived misplacement of national priorities.

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First, we urge the approval of a new Labor Law, separate from the Omnibus Law, which must favor labor.