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Lecturers in Indonesia struggle to balance responsibilities with low pay
To make a living, lecturers take on extra jobs, while simultaneously balancing their daily tasks and professional obligations.
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A photo illustration of a lecturer teaching a class full of students. (Shutterstock/Zakris Studio)
W
ith three primary responsibilities, teaching, conducting research and contributing to the community, lecturers in the country, even those with civil servant status, face the challenge of surviving on low take-home pay.
Since joining Singaperbangsa University in Karawang, West Java, as a civil servant lecturer in 2021, Bayu Budiandrian has been balancing his professional responsibilities while struggling to make ends meet on a modest income.
Each semester, Bayu is expected to publish one journal article, teach three courses and supervise at least 30 students on their final projects. Additionally, he is involved in community service activities, including educational outreach and seminar speaking engagements.
As a 3A-rank civil servant, the entry-level rank for lecturers with a master’s degree, Bayu earns a base salary of Rp 2.8 million (US$171) per month. With additional supervision fees and meal allowances, his take-home pay totals Rp 3.5 million, which is well below the minimum wage in Karawang, set at Rp 5.5 million.
“I used to work as a consultant focusing on rural development with a double-digit salary. When the civil servant recruitment opened, I applied. It turned out my income dropped to just Rp 2 million. With that kind of pay, it is hard for anyone who truly wants to become a lecturer to focus on their work,” he said.
Bayu takes on odd jobs to make ends meet, including writing articles and reports, as well as helping run a friend’s vehicle rental business.
