Human Rights Minister warns unemployment could trigger instability in Papua

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has reminded all stakeholders that high unemployment and limited local access to resources could become factors that trigger instability in Papua.

He made the remarks after gathering public aspirations during a working visit and attending the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence ceremony in Central Papua Province.

Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, Pigai highlighted the rising tension among civil society movements in Papua amid an uncertain security situation and ongoing armed conflict.

“What I saw, and what Papuans conveyed to me, is that Papuans currently feel they do not have access to sources of power, whether in politics, government or the business world,” Pigai said, revealing his findings from the field.

According to Pigai, limited job opportunities and a sense of marginalisation can trigger social frustration.

This situation could potentially encourage various protest movements from civil society groups, especially among the productive workforce that has not been absorbed into employment.

“The majority of Papuans tend to be jobless, unemployed. We feel this situation, where civil movements in Papua are starting to be carried out by those who are jobless, the workforce,” Pigai said.

Inequality in access to jobs and resources, according to Pigai, needs to be addressed immediately through policies that directly meet the needs of the community.

“High unemployment in Papua could cause the worst impact on regional instability and could disrupt national stability,” he said.

Therefore, the Human Rights Minister asked ministries, central government agencies and regional governments to prioritise economic empowerment programmes that provide real benefits for indigenous Papuans.

According to Pigai, opening economic access and creating jobs for local communities is an important step to reduce the potential for social frustration while maintaining security stability in Papua and nationally.

He stressed that these efforts need to be carried out seriously by ensuring indigenous Papuans obtain broader opportunities to participate in politics, government and business.