Since 2010, SMERU has continuously paid attention to unpaid care work issues, advocating for the importance of addressing care work within the framework of reducing gender inequality. This year, for the first time, the government has included the economic aspects of care work in the 2025–2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN). Despite that, there remain significant policy gaps and efforts needed by various parties to achieve equitable welfare improvements in care work. With the support of Yayasan Penabulu, SMERU, together with JALA PRT and Kalyanamitra, is conducting a series of studies and advocacy activities aimed at identifying policy gaps in the care work sector and developing effective advocacy strategies, including efforts to promote the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill.

In this edition of Nawala SMERU, we feature two insightful readings related to the labor market and the education sector. One is a working paper that analyzes the impact of the new Labor Market Information System launched by the Ministry of Labor on the relationship between job seekers and employers, as well as its prospects for the future of work. The other is, in commemoration of National Teachers’ Day on 25 November, a working paper from RISE Programme in Indonesia on a study that employs a set of teacher assessment instruments to improve teacher screening process.

As the year draws to a close, we're experiencing more and more the tangible effects of climate change through unpredictable weather patterns. Let's join hands in caring for our planet and ourselves by adopting a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and keeping our environment clean.