Thousands of Vacancies Open, but Labour Absorption in Central Java Job Fairs Remains Low
The Central Java Manpower and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans) has organised three job fairs over the past year. However, across two of these events, the number of workers absorbed has been relatively insignificant.
The Head of Disnakertrans Central Java, Ahmad Aziz, stated that during the 81st Anniversary of Central Java in August 2026, a job fair was held at the Disnakertrans office involving more than 50 companies. At least 7,000 job vacancies for various educational backgrounds, ranging from primary school to university graduates, including persons with disabilities, were opened to applicants.
According to Aziz, more than three thousand people attended the job fair held on 20-21 August 2026. However, based on the data provided, the absorption rate of job seekers was not significant. “To date, approximately 200 people have been accepted, and around 400 are in the selection process. So, there are roughly 650 moving forward,” said Aziz during an interview while inspecting a job fair held to celebrate the National MTQ event at the Pancasila Field, Simpang Lima, Semarang City, on Thursday (17/9/2026).
During the 80th Anniversary of Central Java in August 2025, Disnakertrans Central Java also held a job fair at its office. More than 6,600 vacancies were opened by approximately 40 participating companies. Yet, from the thousands of applicants present, only hundreds were successfully hired. “For the 2025 job fair, about 550 people were accepted,” Aziz noted.
Meanwhile, in the job fair organised to enliven the 2026 National MTQ in Semarang, over 6,700 vacancies were made available to applicants, including those with disabilities. Aziz stated that this fair involved more than 40 companies operating in manufacturing, services, medical, outsourcing, and other sectors, as well as companies offering overseas placements.
According to Aziz, the availability of job vacancies in Central Java is higher than the number of job seekers. Nevertheless, the mismatch between company needs and applicant desires—often referred to as a mismatch—results in many vacancies remaining unfilled.
Aziz revealed that several companies have expressed difficulties in finding employees or labour. “There are several companies complaining that it is hard to find workers,” he said during an interview on Wednesday (16/9/2026).
He added that one of the companies complaining was a shoe factory in Temanggung Regency. Aziz noted that the requirements set by the factory were not particularly difficult. “Actually, the requirements are quite light, especially for operator positions,” he said.
Aziz explained that last month, Disnakertrans Central Java held a job fair at its office. More than 50 companies participated, with the number of job vacancies provided exceeding 4,500 for various educational backgrounds, from primary school to university graduates.