Mataram City Contract Workers Struggle to Meet Needs After Not Receiving Salaries for Two Months

Several contract workers for the Mataram City Government have complained that their salaries for the past two months have not been paid. As a result, they are struggling to meet their daily needs.

“We haven’t been paid yet, it’s been two months, and there’s been no information so far,” said a contract worker who wished to remain anonymous in an interview with detikBali on Tuesday (24/2/2026).

This contract worker stated that several of his colleagues in other regional government organisations (OPDs) have also not been paid for two months.

“We hope it can be resolved quickly, especially now that it’s Ramadan. All the prices of basic necessities are going up, so it’s difficult to meet our daily needs,” he said.

This contract worker was forced to borrow money from his family because he could not meet his daily needs. He will repay the money when his salary is paid.

Another contract worker, who also wished to remain anonymous, echoed the same sentiment. This contract worker has even lost motivation to go to work because there is no news about his salary.

“I feel a bit down when I have to go to work. Because so far, there has been no news about the salary,” he explained.

“Fortunately, it’s the month of Ramadan, so expenses are not too high. Because we haven’t been paid, we’re taking advantage of the free iftar meals at the mosque,” he said.

The Head of the Regional Finance Agency (BKD) of Mataram City, Muhamad Ramayoga, responded to the complaints of contract workers who have not received their salaries for two months. Ramayoga assured that the Mataram City Government will soon resolve the administrative issues.

“We are still waiting for directions from the BKPSDM, but yesterday the BKPSDM issued a circular, and we will use that circular to resolve the administrative issues first,” said Ramayoga.

“The budget is already available, from the APBD. Now it depends on each OPD to submit the necessary documents,” Ramayoga continued.

For information, the process of paying contract workers is different from paying civil servants (ASN) or full-time and part-time PPPK employees. Contract workers are paid one month after their employment period.

“At the beginning of the year, it takes a little longer because in January, the contract workers are paid in February. That’s what causes the delay. Hopefully, it can be resolved soon, depending on how quickly the OPDs complete the requirements from the BKPSDM that need to be completed,” said Ramayoga.