Kerjakeluarga

Kerjakeluarga (literally “family work”) is a term used in Indonesian and Malay-speaking contexts to describe the organization of work within a family unit, often centered on a family-owned enterprise or household production. The concept covers activities where family members contribute labor, skills, and time to support drawing income for the household, and where governance, management, and ownership are closely tied to kinship ties. Kerjakeluarga commonly appears in small and medium-sized family businesses, agricultural households, crafts workshops, and informal services, especially in rural or developing economy settings.

In practice, tasks are allocated based on age, skill, and availability, with decision-making concentrated in the family head or a small family council. Profit and reinvestment decisions are typically made for the benefit of the household, with generations involved in succession planning and tacit knowledge transfer. The model can promote flexibility, mutual trust, and continuity, enabling households to adapt to seasonal work and market changes.

However, kerjakeluarga also presents challenges. Family conflicts can spill into business operations, governance may lack formal mechanisms, and there can be tensions between professional management and kinship obligations. There is also concern about labor rights and fair compensation, particularly for younger family members. Legal and financial frameworks, including access to credit and clear inheritance or succession plans, influence the sustainability of kerjakeluarga arrangements.

See also: family business, informal economy, household economy.