Indonesia is currently facing a very critical situation. The wave of crisis affecting society is increasingly felt across various sectors. The soaring prices of basic necessities, the growing tax burdens—with some regional leaders raising taxes by more than 250%—inadequate wages, massive layoffs, unclear job status, and the lack of job opportunities have become the main triggers of public unrest. In addition, unresolved poverty alleviation efforts and recurring natural disasters are worsening the situation.

Public disappointment has peaked as they witness the stark gap between the lives of ordinary people and the ruling elite. Legislators are busy discussing allowance increases, while executive officials are entangled in large-scale corruption. Amid the people’s suffering, news emerged of officials receiving salary increases amounting to hundreds of millions of rupiah, along with luxurious facilities. Ironically, the performance of both parliament and government is considered lacking, overshadowed by massive corruption cases. Many draft bills remain unfinished, including the asset seizure law for corruptors, while controversial statements from certain members of parliament have further fueled public anger.

Furthermore, public dissatisfaction eventually erupted into waves of demonstrations in major Indonesian cities. Thousands of students, workers, farmers, online transport drivers, and civil society groups took to the streets demanding change and justice. However, what began as peaceful protests gradually turned heated.

An interview with Basma Louis published in the magazine Démocratie

The International Young Christian Workers (IYCW) is celebrating its 100th anniversary. This was an opportunity to talk to its president, herself a child of the IYCW, about the current and future challenges facing this movement, which she described as a “school of life.” We also discussed the methods used by the organization, which is run by and for young people and places their experiences and material realities—particularly those of young workers in situations of precariousness and exploitation—at the heart of collective social transformation.

What forms of precariousness affect young people today?

Young people today face multiple and growing forms of precariousness. This manifests itself in economic insecurity—unstable jobs, unemployment, informal or underpaid work—as well as limited access to housing, education, and quality healthcare. Young workers are particularly exposed to extreme forms of precariousness. Many of them work in the gig economy—an economy based on flexible and precarious jobs—as delivery drivers, chauffeurs, or digital freelancers. They are often considered “self-employed,” but have no real social protection: no stable contract, no health insurance, no pension. These young people sometimes work in very difficult conditions: long hours, unpredictable pay, algorithmic pressure, isolation, and no way to assert their rights. They must constantly be “available” in order to earn a minimum income, while assuming the risks associated with their work. This precariousness has a profound psychological impact. Permanent instability leads to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, which unfortunately translates into rising suicide rates among young people in many countries. The climate crisis further exacerbates this insecurity. Environmental degradation and political inaction in the face of this emergency fuel a sense of powerlessness and despair among young people about the future. Furthermore, the rise of far-right ideologies and authoritarian policies are fueling widespread disillusionment with the system. Many young people are losing faith in institutions, which they perceive as distant from their realities and aspirations. In response, some are turning to social media, creating a virtual bubble that can reinforce isolation and withdrawal.