BWCC

Illustration of female workers in Bali (IDN Times/Ayu Afria)

Denpasar - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recently released Indonesia’s Employment Situation Report for February 2025. One aspect of the report highlights a wage disparity between male and female workers. The average wage for male workers is IDR 3.37 million, while the average wage for female workers is IDR 2.61 million.

Ni Nengah Budawati, Director of LBH BWCC and a women’s rights advocate, said this issue has long been a concern of hers. The reality is that there is a wage gap between what women earn compared to men.

“If we look at work ethic or skills, there’s really no difference between women and men,” she explained.

1. Potential gender discrimination in the workplace

According to Ni Nengah Budawati, wages or salaries—or any kind of reward—should ideally be based on the quality of work. She hopes the wage gap is not the result of discrimination within the workplace itself.

“Our hope is that there’s no discrimination in the workplace,” she said.

2. The stigma that women are weak

She believes the gender-based wage gap is tied to the persistent belief that women are physically weaker, have less stamina, and are more mentally vulnerable than men. This stigma—that women are less capable than men in the workplace—likely influences wage decisions.

“When it comes to skills, commitment, and passion for the job, women cannot be underestimated. This has already been proven,” she stated.

3. Women must fight together

So what should women do to address this wage disparity? Budawati emphasized that individuals must also take a stand and support the advocacy being carried out by labor organizations and others.

“Yes, we as women must stand and fight together to advocate for policies like this,” she said.