By Giostanovlatto – Hey Bali Founder
Jakarta – In an era where corporate impunity often overshadows human dignity, one Indonesian official is drawing a bold line in the sand.
Immanuel Ebenezer, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Manpower under the Prabowo administration, has emerged as an unexpected champion for workers’ rights — tackling head-on one of the most abusive yet underreported labor practices in Southeast Asia: the illegal seizure of employees’ diplomas.
Across industries, from small businesses to national giants like Lion Air, companies have long imposed a disturbing condition on new hires — submit your diploma, or lose the job offer. Once inside the system, workers quickly learn the real cost of escape. To resign or seek better opportunities, they are forced to “buy back” their own education — with ransom demands reaching up to 40 million rupiah (approximately USD $2,400). This is not just unethical — it is modern-day bondage masquerading as corporate policy.
But for the first time in years, there’s someone in power not just talking about reform — but physically reclaiming justice.
In recent months, Deputy Minister Immanuel Ebenezer has made headlines for personally retrieving seized diplomas, storming into company offices, confronting executives, and publicly threatening criminal prosecution for violations of Indonesia’s labor laws. His message is blunt and non-negotiable: “This is extortion, and it ends now.”
A Systematic Scam Hiding in Plain Sight
The practice of withholding educational documents has operated in a grey area of Indonesian employment for decades. Framed as a “guarantee” for training investment or contractual loyalty, it has become a normalized abuse — disproportionately affecting low-income and entry-level workers, many of whom lack the legal literacy or financial means to resist.
For companies, it’s a tool of control. For workers, it’s a cage.
And for Immanuel Ebenezer — it’s a battle worth fighting.
“This is not just a labor violation,” he said in a recent public address, “It’s a form of oppression, a deeply corrupt mechanism designed to exploit vulnerability. No just society can allow this to continue.”
Courage in a Culture of Silence
Immanuel Ebenezer is no stranger to confrontation. Before entering government, he was a vocal activist and civil society leader known for calling out injustice regardless of political cost. His decision to confront both small businesses and powerful corporations like Lion Air signals not only integrity, but an unshakable commitment to human rights — even if it means going against the grain of political convenience.
In a country still battling systemic labor exploitation, his actions represent a seismic shift. No longer are workers’ grievances buried in bureaucracy — they are being heard, seen, and acted upon.
A Symbol of Hope for Millions
In an administration widely seen as nationalistic and pro-business, Ebenezer’s stance stands out — not as opposition, but as a necessary moral compass.
His bold moves have earned him both admiration and enemies. But among the nation’s workers — from airline staff to factory operators — he is now being hailed as nothing short of a labor hero.
As one garment worker in Jakarta put it: “For the first time, someone in power is fighting for us. Not with promises, but with action.”
Looking Ahead
The fight is far from over. Indonesia’s labor system still faces countless challenges — from informal sector abuse to weak union protections. But with figures like Immanuel Ebenezer leading the charge, the tide may finally be turning.
What he’s doing is more than enforcement. It’s redefining the role of leadership in Southeast Asia’s labor movement — and sending a clear message:
A diploma should be a key to opportunity — not a tool for corporate ransom.
(LTO)
