Politap PPPK Employees Stand for Justice: “The State Must Not Forget Us”

Ketapang, 15 May 2025 – A number of lecturers and educational staff with Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK) status at Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic) held a peaceful demonstration on Thursday morning, 15 May 2025, as a form of solidarity and expression of aspirations regarding the fate of employees who have not yet received clear status as full State Civil Apparatus (ASN).

This action was part of a national movement held simultaneously across 35 New State Universities (PTNB) throughout Indonesia. The rally was organized by the Cross-Employee Association (ILP) of PTNB in response to staffing regulatory disparities deemed to hinder institutional progress.

Participants highlighted various PPPK policies considered unfavorable to career development and employee welfare, as well as continuing disparities in treatment compared to civil servant ASN (PNS).

The main demands conveyed in this demonstration were:

1. Full transition of PPPK status to ASN PNS as recognition of long-standing contributions and service at PTNB, including those under the Handover Official Report (BAST) and the 2021 appointments.
2. Elimination of discrimination in the staffing system, including disparities in rights, career progression, and pension guarantees between PPPK and ASN PNS.
3. Concrete attention and policies from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, to ensure legal certainty and fair, inclusive regulations.

In an orderly and spirited atmosphere, employees unfurled a large banner reading “Lecturers and PPPK of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang Demand Justice – #PNS Harga Mati” on Politap’s main campus grounds. They also held up posters expressing hopes and demands for equal recognition alongside ASN PNS.

Head of Politap's PPPK ILP, Normansyah, S.T., M.T., stated that PPPK lecturers and educational staff had served even before the college became a state institution, yet they have not received full recognition as ASN PNS to date.

“We are not second-class civil servants. We have served, taught, and shaped the younger generation since before this campus became state-owned. Yet to this day, our status remains PPPK. The state transferred institutional assets, but forgot its human resources,” he asserted.

Through this peaceful rally, Politap PPPK lecturers and staff hope that the government will not solely focus on the physical development and assets of educational institutions, but also pay serious attention to human resources, the primary drivers of educational quality.

“We believe that human resources are the primary foundation for the advancement of higher education. It is time for the state to step in to provide protection, justice, and recognition for those of us who have dedicated years of service,” Norman added.

This demonstration not only voiced employee rights, but also served as a moral appeal to the state to review personnel policies across state higher education institutions. Participants emphasized that human resource development should be prioritized on par with infrastructure development. (finn)