Jakarta – The government is acting swiftly to anticipate the threat of layoffs (PHK) amid the increasingly challenging global economic dynamics, particularly the impact of reciprocal tariff policies by the United States on several countries, including Indonesia.
President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has ordered the formation of a special task force, or Satgas PHK, to comprehensively address the potential negative impacts on the national workforce.
“I request the establishment of the PHK Task Force, immediately involving the government, labor unions, the academic world, university rectors, BPJS Employment, and so on. One task force, we anticipate,” said President Prabowo.
Furthermore, the President emphasized that the state must be present as a protector of all elements of society, especially workers who are victims of layoffs.
“Our country must be managed as a family. So, if there are workers who are left behind, we must protect them, take care of them as best as possible,” he asserted.
This task force will have a strategic mandate to map the potential and realities of layoffs and connect affected workers with available job opportunities in various sectors. The “link and match” approach between the labor market and laid-off workers is expected to be a concrete solution in minimizing the social and economic impacts that may occur.
Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, stated that the PHK Task Force will serve as both an evaluative and operational forum in handling domestic layoff cases.
“The data from the Department of Manpower and BPJS Employment related to Job Loss Insurance (JKP) is complete and covers all sectors. This will serve as the initial basis for the Task Force to work,” Yassierli explained.
He also revealed that the Task Force will include various elements, including the government, employers, labor unions, and academics, in order to produce inclusive and holistic policies.
Moreover, the Minister mentioned that the PHK Task Force will not only focus on mitigating layoffs but will also monitor the dynamics of job creation and other labor-related issues.
“If the team is large and involves many ministries, we hope its scope can be broader. It will not only talk about mitigating layoffs, but also about monitoring job creation,” Yassierli added.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Industrial Relations and Social Security for Workers (PHI-JSK) at the Ministry of Manpower, Indah Anggoro Putri, stated that the regulations for the formation of the Task Force are being prepared and will be formalized in a Presidential Instruction (Inpres).
“This plan should be viewed positively. The naming of the task force is still flexible, adjusted to the tasks and functions it will undertake,” she said.
This progressive step reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining national employment stability and protecting workers’ rights and welfare amid global challenges.
Therefore, the public is encouraged to support the formation of the PHK Task Force as a real effort to anticipate and address the threat of layoffs and to create a more resilient and responsive labor system in the face of changing times.
