About
REKATI is a community of information technology and digital service workers in Greater Jakarta.
Who we are
REKATI (Ruang Eksplorasi Kawan Teknologi Informasi, “Information Technology Friends’ Exploration Space”) is a community for information technology and digital service workers in Greater Jakarta. It is a friendly space to share experience, widen our knowledge, find career opportunities, and help each other with problems at work.
While the tech industry grows, its workers still face real difficulties, from excessive hours and job insecurity to little understanding of labour rights. Through REKATI, we want every worker to have better knowledge, a better network and better support to stand up for their rights and develop their careers.
What we believe
We believe every tech worker has the right to reasonable leave and working hours, legal certainty, and a workplace that is safe, inclusive and respectful. We also believe every worker needs the chance to keep learning, build skills and reach a wider range of career opportunities.
How we work
We work in three areas: Saling Bagi Pengetahuan (learning together and swapping skills), Saling Buka Peluang (job openings, referrals and interview practice) and Saling Jaga (practical know-how on contracts, working hours and leave). The guides are in Resources.
An open community
REKATI is an independent community open to tech workers from all backgrounds. We believe a good workplace is built on mutual respect, an understanding of rights and obligations, and the chance to keep growing. REKATI brings tech friends together so they can support each other, share knowledge and face the challenges of work together. Because every worker has the right to know their rights, and no one should have to face hard times alone.
Who is a Kawan
A Kawan is anyone who works in tech, in any role, such as engineering, design, product and project management, tech sales and support. Digital service workers, for example content moderators and data labelers, are Kawan too.
HR, recruiters and anyone with formal authority to hire, fire or set someone’s pay are not Kawan, to avoid conflicts of interest.
Independent
REKATI is free of control by employers, political parties and funders. We may accept practical support, such as a venue or food, and we list it publicly. Those who give support have no say in what REKATI does.
Tech Workers Coalition
REKATI is the Tech Workers Coalition (TWC) chapter for Greater Jakarta, with TWC's permission. TWC is an international network of tech workers. These are the six things TWC says about itself, as written.
We are a hub for tech workers
TWC serves as a hub for those who believe the tech industry must be changed by its own workers. Individuals and organizations active in labor organizing, digital rights, anti-militarism, environmentalism, and other fights for liberation can find each other in TWC and work together to build stronger, more connected movements. We provide logistical and infrastructural support to create connections, with both in-person events like conferences, and digital spaces like online communities.
We build solidarity & class consciousness
TWC is a worker-led organization. We seek to develop the consciousness among all tech workers that we are part of the working class. We know that the tech industry causes harm and exploitation and seek to build bridges between workers in the tech industry and those affected by it. All workers are linked in our struggles. Each chapter builds alliances with other organizations based on their shared context and common goals.
We develop organizers
We train new organizers through educational activities and lived practice. We supplement the educational offerings of unions and activist organizations with material specific to tech. We want individual tech workers to become better organizing leaders, turning them into important power builders in their unions and communities.
We organize across job functions
We define tech workers as all those involved in the production or maintenance of digital technologies, from cafeteria staff to software engineers to data labelers. We believe in organizing unions across roles, crafts, and companies.
We organize internationally
TWC chapters are currently limited to the USA and Europe, but partner with organizations across the globe. We understand that local action is not enough to achieve worker power globally.
We build community and practice care
TWC is a political home for tech workers. We welcome all those who seek companionship for their political journey. We strive to build a community that affirms the importance of emotional and psychological well-being and growth for our members. We practice thoughtful care. We meet each other where we're at, engaging each other in good faith. When conflict arises, we must navigate and resolve it intentionally to maintain the well-being of all involved.
TWC chapters are autonomous and follow their own strategy for their local context. REKATI uses its own name and language and sets its own direction.