Semarang Census Workers Protest Delayed Pay, Contract Disputes

Economic Census enumerators in Semarang, Central Java, are facing payment delays and disputes, casting a shadow over the 2026 census operations. A significant number of data collectors, referred to as 'mitra pendata,' are complaining that their wages are stuck. The core of the issue lies in a perceived change in the interpretation of the work contract between the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the data collectors. Indra, a pseudonym used by one enumerator, explained that he signed a contract stipulating payment in two installments. The first installment was due on July 15, 2026, after completing 40% of the total workload and one month of data collection, as outlined in Article 8, Paragraph 3(a) of the Work Order Letter (SPK). However, Indra claims that just days before the payment date, BPS Semarang announced a new criterion during an online meeting. The new rule requires enumerators to complete four Local Environmental Units (SLS) with an 80% data collection rate within each unit to receive the first payment. Indra expressed surprise, as this condition was not in the original SPK. He stated that he had already met the initial 40% workload requirement. "If the rule isn't in the contract, it means BPS is making up its own rules, right? It's not in line with the initial commitment when we signed the work contract," Indra said. Each enumerator is responsible for several SLS, ranging from five to over a dozen. Indra revealed that on July 14, 2026, BPS Semarang released a list of enumerators eligible for the first payment. Out of more than 1,200 enumerators, fewer than 30 met the new criteria. Indra believes that under the original contract, about 50% would have qualified. Those who met the BPS Semarang criteria are expected to be paid by July 31, 2026. However, the fate of those who did not qualify remains uncertain, with their payment proposals reportedly being sent to BPS RI (the national agency). Indra questions why their payment eligibility is being handed over to the national agency when the criteria were changed locally. The enumerators are also concerned about potential penalties if they decide to withdraw due to the payment issues.