A recent video reposted by the Instagram page @karanganyarkita has shed light on the staggering pay gap faced by temporary teachers in Indonesia. In the video, a young temporary teacher reveals her monthly salary by opening an envelope on camera. Inside, she finds just 200,000 rupiah, equivalent to approximately RM60.
The video has sparked widespread outrage and disbelief, as it highlights the significant disparity between the wages of temporary and permanent teachers in the country. While permanent teachers in Indonesia can earn between 1.5 million rupiah (around RM450) to 5.9 million rupiah (about RM1,750) per month, temporary teachers are left struggling with much lower salaries, ranging from 200,000 rupiah (RM60) to 500,000 rupiah (RM150) a month.
This revelation has ignited conversations about the need for better compensation and improved working conditions for temporary educators. Many netizens expressed their frustration over the pay scale, with some pointing out that even Indonesian domestic helpers working in Malaysia earn significantly more than temporary teachers in their home country.
As the video continues to gain traction online, it remains to be seen whether these concerns will lead to meaningful change for temporary teachers in Indonesia, who play a crucial role in shaping the next generation despite their meager pay.
