Hari Buruh: Potret Nestapa Buruh dan Janji Pemerintah [Metro Siang]

Summary

Minister of Manpower Yasirli discussed the government's efforts to address labor rights, especially for workers impacted by corporate layoffs. He highlighted the formation of a special task force (Satgas PHK), aimed at preventing and managing layoffs, which was initiated in response to President's instructions. The task force will involve multiple ministries and aim to mitigate layoffs from both upstream and downstream sectors. Yasirli also outlined protective measures for laid-off workers, such as compensation, career training, and unemployment insurance, ensuring they are supported in case of job loss due to economic uncertainties or other factors like tariff wars.

Takeaways

• 😀 Minister Yasirli acknowledges the complexity of fulfilling workers' rights, especially regarding severance pay for those affected by pilot companies.
• 😀 Yasirli assures that the formation of the PHK Task Force, which is still in progress, will help prevent and address layoffs when they occur.
• 😀 The formation of the PHK Task Force responds to President's instruction to involve multiple stakeholders, including workers' unions and employers.
• 😀 The task force is being developed to address layoffs not just at the 'downstream' level, handled by the Ministry of Manpower, but also at the 'upstream' level to prevent them.
• 😀 The government has been proactively preparing for possible layoffs since early January, driven by the uncertainties of 2025 and industry challenges.
• 😀 The rise in trade wars has increased uncertainties and the risk of layoffs, especially for labor-intensive industries exporting to the U.S.
• 😀 One major initiative to address job losses is the Presidential Regulation (PP No. 6/2025), which offers employment insurance and guarantees for those laid off.
• 😀 The PP No. 6/2025 provides three key protections: 60% compensation of salary for 6 months, access to career training, and the easing of access to retraining programs.
• 😀 Yasirli emphasizes that these efforts are proactive, not reactive, in anticipation of potential layoffs due to global uncertainties.
• 😀 For workers laid off, their severance, job loss insurance (JKP), and pension (JHT) will be covered by existing systems like BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, though there may be delays if layoffs involve asset liquidation.

Q & A

What is the primary challenge regarding layoffs (PHK) in Indonesia according to Minister Yasirli?

The primary challenge is the complex process of fulfilling the rights of former employees, especially concerning severance pay, which requires careful handling of legal and financial aspects.

What is the role of the newly proposed PHK Task Force?

The PHK Task Force is being formed to anticipate and address layoffs, ensuring that preventive measures are in place and providing solutions when layoffs become unavoidable.

How does the government plan to prevent layoffs from happening?

The government aims to prevent layoffs through a multi-ministerial approach that includes early interventions, anticipating risks, and creating policies that mitigate job losses.

What triggered the creation of the PHK Task Force?

The creation of the PHK Task Force was triggered by the uncertain economic conditions, particularly the potential consequences of tariff wars that could severely impact Indonesia’s labor-intensive industries, especially those involved in exports to the United States.

What is the purpose of Government Regulation (PP) Number 6/2025?

The purpose of PP Number 6/2025 is to provide job loss guarantees, including compensation for laid-off workers and access to career training and guidance to ease their transition.

What benefits do workers receive under the new job loss guarantee regulation?

Under PP 6/2025, workers laid off will receive 60% of their salary for six months, as well as facilitated access to career training and guidance to help them re-enter the workforce.

How does the government plan to ensure that laid-off workers receive their entitled benefits?

The government has created a complaint channel where workers can report issues such as unpaid severance pay, and labor inspectors from various regions can assist in resolving these cases.

What challenges exist when layoffs are linked to company bankruptcy or liquidation?

When layoffs are caused by company bankruptcy or liquidation, the process becomes more complex due to the need to assess assets and conduct an auction before severance pay can be distributed.

What steps are taken if a worker’s severance pay is delayed or unpaid?

Workers can report their case to labor inspectors at the local, district, or provincial level, depending on the location of the company. For cross-provincial cases, the Ministry of Manpower handles the supervision.

What initiatives has the government already implemented to address potential job losses?

In anticipation of job losses, the government has prepared measures such as the PP 6/2025, which includes compensation, career training, and job guarantees. They have also set up an early-warning system and channels to address labor issues proactively.