Layoffs at the village ministry amidst a difficult economy

Protest in front of the Kalibata village ministry office

During March the ministry of village have take a non popular decision by making 1.040 “Pendamping desa” layoffs and lost their job. Despite being officially fired, about a thoulsand Pendamping Desa throughout Indonesia which joining as Pendamping desa Merah Putih has carry out demonstrations starting from kalibata to village ministry because of they has been fired without clear legal basis and not guided by village regulation 143/2022. Not only on kalibata,the demontrant held a same action along Monas and ini the front of ring one president office

Still, these figures indicate that poverty remains a persistent problem in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

Compared to its ASEAN peers, Indonesia’s poverty rate remains among the highest, even when applying the lower poverty threshold.

Indonesia's recent inclusion in this category is seen as a marker of economic progress, but the poverty data reveals a widening gap between national income figures and the actual living standards experienced by a majority of citizens.

The findings highlight a structural disparity within Indonesia’s economy − one that continues to rely heavily on informal labor and underemployment, limiting income growth for a large segment of the population.

Analysts warn that while Indonesia has made notable gains in economic classification, the country must urgently address issues of inequality, labor productivity, and access to social safety nets if it is to ensure inclusive growth that benefits all layers of society.

The report calls for sustained policy reforms focused on improving job quality, expanding access to education and healthcare, and strengthening the country’s social protection systems to bridge the gap between economic status and lived realities.Demands to remove the village minister yandri susanto echoed in Kalibata and Monas