{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1712072,
        "msgid": "what-are-blue-collar-and-white-collar-workers-definition-and-differences-1777603992",
        "date": "2026-05-01 08:35:13",
        "title": "What Are Blue-Collar and White-Collar Workers? Definition and Differences",
        "author": "",
        "source": "DETIK_BALI",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "This article explains the distinctions between blue-collar and white-collar workers, tracing the historical evolution of labour terminology in Indonesia from the colonial era through the New Order period. It highlights differences in job nature, education requirements, social status, and work environments, while discussing future risks posed by automation and artificial intelligence to both categories. The piece underscores the importance of adapting to technological advancements to ensure job sustainability in an evolving economy.",
        "content": "<p>Workers around the world celebrate Labour Day on 1 May each year.\nBased on the type of work, the terms blue-collar worker and white-collar\nworker have emerged. What are the differences?<\/p>\n<p>According to Law No.\u00a01957, every person who works for an employer and\nreceives wages is defined as a labourer. In the past, the term labourer\nwas more commonly used, even during the Dutch East Indies era. Then, the\nNew Order replaced the term labourer with worker because it considered\nlabourer to be too left-leaning and radical.<\/p>\n<p>The variety of job types classifies workers into two groups:\nblue-collar workers and white-collar workers. These terms are unofficial\nbut widely used. What are the differences in meaning between the two\nterms? Read the full explanation below!<\/p>\n<p>What Are the Definitions of Blue-Collar and White-Collar Workers?<\/p>\n<p>Blue-collar workers refer to those who perform physical and manual\nlabour. This term first appeared in an Iowa newspaper in 1924. Blue\ncollar refers to denim clothing commonly worn by workers, which can\ncamouflage stains on clothes.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, white-collar workers are defined as those in\nadministrative and managerial fields. White collar clearly refers to the\nwhite shirts commonly worn by professionals in those fields.<\/p>\n<p>In general, blue-collar work can be done by all levels of education.\nIt almost does not require high competence. Some jobs that require\nspecial skills, such as technicians, are usually given vocational\neducation or courses for several months.<\/p>\n<p>White-collar workers are required to have a diploma\/bachelor\u2019s degree\nand certain credibility. Socially, this type of worker is considered to\nhave a better position and salary compared to blue-collar workers. Their\nworkplaces also differ; blue-collar workers tend to be in the field or\nproduction buildings and drain energy. Whereas white-collar workers are\nassociated with being in front of a computer in an air-conditioned\nroom.<\/p>\n<p>The fields of work pursued by blue-collar workers include\nmanufacturing industry, mining, fishing, agriculture, to construction.\nConversely, white-collar workers are usually concentrated in\nadministration, bureaucracy, diplomacy, research, consulting, to law and\nhealth.<\/p>\n<p>Job Risks in the Future<\/p>\n<p>Both types of workers have concerns about the sustainability of\nfuture jobs. Blue-collar workers must face industrial automation.\nTechnological developments cannot be avoided. More advanced and\nefficient machines are increasingly considered as industrial assets\nrather than the workers themselves.<\/p>\n<p>The presence of artificial intelligence also indirectly threatens\njobs in many fields. Administrative tasks usually done by entry-level\nworkers can be easily and efficiently handled by AI assistance.\nNevertheless, there will always be job potentials that adapt to\ntechnological developments.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/what-are-blue-collar-and-white-collar-workers-definition-and-differences-1777603992",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}