Why More Indonesians Are Losing Their Jobs

This isn’t just a local problem. It’s not just about bad management or weak business models. It’s global. It’s systemic. And it’s layered with forces far beyond our everyday view. Like a quiet storm gathering at the edges of the sky, these forces are now drifting closer.

A Global Slowdown with Local Consequences

The world still hasn’t fully recovered from the pandemic. Inflation lingers like a fever that won’t break. Supply chains remain unpredictable. And just as economies begin to stabilise, new tremors arrive—from across the oceans.

Trade tensions between economic superpowers are escalating. Tariff wars between countries—particularly between the United States and the rest of the world—are disrupting global commerce and shaking investor confidence.

When large economies impose higher tariffs on each other, the shock doesn’t stay contained. It travels; like waves in a pond.

• Costs go up. • Supply chains tighten. • Exporters lose access to markets. • Companies delay investments. • Inflation creeps in again.

And eventually, when margins shrink and budgets get tight—jobs are the first to go.

Indonesia, with its deep ties to global trade, is not immune. Our exports suffer. Our manufacturing contracts. Our small businesses, already squeezed by technology and shrinking demand, are now facing external economic pressure too.

The result? An uneasy combination: slower growth, rising costs, and higher unemployment.

AI and Digitalisation are Rewriting the Rules

Technology was once a helping hand. Now, for many, it feels like a replacement: • AI bots answer customer queries faster than any human could. • Algorithms write reports, craft content, and process data without needing a lunch break. • Retail stores are going cashier-less. • Administrative roles are being handled by apps.

And digitalisation has accelerated the shift: • E-commerce reduces the need for physical stores. • Online platforms cut overhead by hiring fewer full-time employees. • One app can now do the work of five people.

The result? Quiet job loss. Not with big headlines, but small disappearances.

A team that used to be ten people is now three.

A role that used to be essential has now been automated.

It’s not just blue-collar jobs at risk anymore. White-collar roles—finance, marketing, HR, design—are being reshaped too.

Cheaper Alternatives, Lower Purchasing Power

There was a time when quality and brand reputation mattered most. Now, price leads the conversation.

Consumers—facing rising costs—are opting for what’s affordable. And who can blame them? • Mass-produced, imported goods are cheaper than locally made products. • Freelancers offer services at a fraction of the cost of an in-house team. • Even AI now competes in the creative space—writing, designing, composing.

This means local businesses, already operating on thin margins, are forced to cut costs—or close shop.

What gets cut first? Jobs.

What comes next? Loss of expertise, community, and creative potential. It’s not just economic—it’s emotional.

The Younger Workforce Wants Change

The younger generation isn’t content with the old model—long hours, rigid hierarchies, sacrificing personal life for a pay-check. They want: • Remote work and flexibility. • Purpose-driven careers, not just salaries. • Work-life balance, not burnout.

They’re rejecting the “work hard, climb the ladder, retire at 60” model. They want meaning in their work and time for their personal lives. While this shift is beautiful—it also challenges traditional business models.

Companies slow to adapt are losing talent. Some are downsizing. Others are shutting down altogether. The future of work isn’t just about jobs—it’s about redefining what work even means.

What to Do If You've Lost Your Job

It hurts. It’s not just about money—it’s about identity, dignity, purpose. But hear this: you’re not alone. And this is definitely not the end.

Let Yourself Feel It. It’s okay to grieve. Breathe. Let go of the shame. It’s not your fault—the world is changing—fast. Take a moment. Then, get back up.

Reassess Your Finances. Cut non-essential expenses. Consider temporary income: freelance, gig work, part-time roles. Don’t hesitate to seek financial advice if needed.

Upskill, Re-skill, Reframe.
• Focus on skills AI can’t replace: creativity, communication, emotional intelligence. • Explore courses in digital tools, data literacy, and future-proof industries. • Stay curious. Stay teachable.

Reconnect with People. 80% of jobs come through connections, so start reconnecting. Attend networking events, update your LinkedIn, reach out to former colleagues, friends, mentors. Build relationships before you need them.

Open the Door to the Unexpected. Your next job may not look like your last one—but that doesn’t mean it’s a step back. Explore opportunities like freelancing, remote work, consulting, temporary roles, start something completely new of your own —these are the future and don’t overlook opportunities just because they’re different.

The only truly wrong move is doing nothing.

A Whisper for the Road Ahead

I’ve lived long enough to know that the ground will shift again—and again. But I’ve also lived long enough to know that we are more resilient than we realise.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Fear doesn’t move us forward. Action does.

The ones who thrive in this changing world won’t be the ones clinging to the past, but the ones who embrace the shift. The ones who are willing to learn, evolve, and reinvent themselves.

If you’re feeling uncertain, tired, even afraid—breathe. You are not broken. You are not behind.

You are simply being invited to evolve.

Because in the end, job security doesn’t come from a company, a title, or an industry.

It comes from you.

Your skills. Your mindset. Your willingness to adapt. Your ability to reconnect with what makes you human—creativity, compassion, courage.

So, take the next small step. Learn something new. Make a call. Rewrite your story.

The world is changing.

And so can you.