Strengthening Human Rights Literacy for Campus Workers in the City of Yogyakarta

Abstract

Campus workers perform academic, administrative, technical, and support functions, yet their access to practical information on human rights at work remains uneven. This community service program aimed to strengthen human rights literacy and safe complaint skills among campus workers in Yogyakarta City. The program was implemented with the Campus Workers Union through four stages: needs assessment, preparation and validation of a practical guide, case-based training, and follow-up assistance. Participants comprised 38 campus workers from five higher education institutions, including lecturers, researchers, administrative staff, librarians, laboratory staff, security and cleaning personnel, information-technology staff, and outsourced workers. Evaluation used a ten-item pre-test and post-test, a simulation rubric, a satisfaction questionnaire, and participants' action plans. The mean knowledge score increased from 5.8 to 8.1, while 80.6% of participants met the minimum simulation standard and 94.4% rated the program useful. The training helped participants connect decent work, equality, academic freedom, freedom of association, documentation, risk assessment, confidentiality, and remedy pathways. The program produced a practical guide and a safe complaint protocol that can be reused by the union. Continued facilitator training, periodic legal updates, and confidential referral networks are recommended to sustain the program.