Jakarta – The government has taken firm and swift steps in responding to the potential wave of layoffs (PHK) that threatens a number of industrial sectors due to global economic dynamics. As a form of commitment to maintaining national employment resilience, the government has officially formed a Layoff Task Force (Satgas) which functions as the vanguard in mitigating layoffs as well as national economic recovery.
This step is part of the government’s integrated strategy in maintaining the stability of the business world, especially labor-intensive sectors such as hotels and restaurants. Tourism and creative economy activities continue to be encouraged through the holding of various national and international events, which play an important role in encouraging increased hotel occupancy and people’s purchasing power.
Secretary General of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Maulana Yusran, welcomed the government’s initiative and emphasized that government spending support is vital for the continuity of businesses in the sector.
“Government activities contribute 40-60 percent to hotel revenues. The role of the state is very important in maintaining the sustainability of this sector,” explained Maulana.
Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, emphasized that the government has since the beginning mapped out potential employment challenges in 2025 and taken anticipatory steps through the formation of a Layoff Task Force.
“We have projected that layoffs will become a strategic issue. This task force was formed to cover the entire process from upstream to downstream, starting from monitoring, evaluating regulations, to implementing protection of workers’ rights,” he said.
Furthermore, Yassierli said that the skills improvement program (reskilling) and competency adjustment (upskilling) continue to be encouraged to prepare a workforce that is adaptive to industrial changes.
“The government encourages the community to develop relevant skills in order to be able to compete amidst very dynamic changes in the job market,” he said.
The formation of the Layoff Task Force is the result of synergy across ministries and institutions that are focused on mitigating the impact of layoffs and protecting the national economy. The government ensures that this step is not only reactive, but also proactive to maintain the continuity of the business world and the welfare of the workforce.
This strategic step confirms that the government is present in the midst of global economic challenges, with policies that support workers and business actors. With the collaboration and support of all elements of society, it is hoped that the potential for a wave of layoffs can be prevented, affected sectors can recover stronger, and national economic growth remains inclusive and sustainable.
