By: Adnan Ramdani )*
In the midst of the current uncertain global economic dynamics, the presence of the Termination of Employment Task Force (Satgas PHK) is a real step by the government in maintaining the stability of the national economy and employment. This task force is not only a symbol of the state’s presence in protecting workers’ rights, but also reflects the government’s commitment to creating a conducive and sustainable work climate for all parties, both workers and employers.
President Prabowo Subianto said the formation of this task force was a response to the threat of mass layoffs due to global economic pressures, including the impact of the United States’ (US) reciprocal tariff policy. In dealing with this situation, the Layoff Task Force was formed to mitigate the risk of mass layoffs, maintain employment stability, and provide protection to workers and industry players affected.
Layoffs are a sensitive issue that can have a wide impact, not only on individuals who lose their jobs, but also on the economy as a whole. When a wave of layoffs occurs massively, people’s purchasing power decreases, unemployment rates increase, and social stability can be disrupted. Therefore, the formation of the Layoff Task Force is a strategic anticipatory step in preventing a “layoff storm” that has the potential to cause an employment crisis.
In addition, the PHK Task Force was formed to be a communication bridge between workers, employers, and the government. In many cases, tensions between workers and management occur due to lack of communication or inconsistencies in perceptions of business conditions. This is where the role of the Task Force becomes very important in mediating, clarifying, and supervising so that every PHK process can be carried out fairly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable regulations. This is a real form of protection for workers so that they do not become victims of unilateral decisions.
In addition, the PHK Task Force also has a strategic function in monitoring industrial conditions and business sectors that have the potential to experience pressure. With a data-based monitoring system and trend analysis, the Task Force can provide an early warning system to the government to take preventive measures. For example, when there is an indication of a decrease in production in the textile sector or a decrease in exports in the manufacturing industry, the Task Force can provide input so that stimulus policies, incentives, or retraining (reskilling) are immediately provided to maintain the workforce.
More than just a response to the threat of layoffs, the Task Force also opens up space for constructive dialogue between stakeholders. The government, through relevant ministries, can use the findings of the Task Force as a basis for formulating employment policies that are more adaptive to changing times. This includes improving the quality of human resources through vocational training, encouraging digital transformation in the industrial sector, and strengthening social protection for vulnerable workers. In this way, the existence of the Task Force is not just a short-term solution, but part of a long-term strategy to build a resilient employment system.
From the employer’s side, the Task Force also provides benefits. Not all employers want to lay off employees, most of them actually want to retain employees but face operational cost pressures and declining market demand. In this case, the Task Force can be a facilitator in finding joint solutions, for example with the option of temporarily reducing working hours, rotating leave programs, or support from government programs such as wage subsidies. With this approach, layoffs can be avoided, and industrial relations remain harmonious.
Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the Confederation of Indonesian Prosperous Trade Unions (KSBSI), Johannes Dartha Pakpahan, said that his party strongly supports the formation of the PHK Task Force. This is to respond to the threat of massive layoffs that are worrying the industrial sector in Indonesia, especially in Java, which is at least around 50 thousand workers. The PHK Task Force is also considered an effort to maintain job security, in accordance with the spirit of worker protection echoed in international principles.
The presence of the PHK Task Force also shows that the government is not remaining silent in the face of global economic turmoil. This is a real form of the state being present among its people, protecting them from the negative impacts of economic uncertainty. In the midst of the era of digitalization and technological disruption, protection of workers must not only be in the form of regulation, but also in the form of an active and responsive presence, as demonstrated by this Task Force.
As a country with a large workforce, Indonesia needs a solid employment security system. The PHK Task Force is part of that system, an instrument that bridges, monitors, and resolves problems before they become a crisis. In the future, by strengthening cross-ministerial coordination, involving trade unions and employer associations, and building a reliable employment database, the PHK Task Force can be at the forefront of maintaining the balance of the national workforce.
We should appreciate this proactive step. The government is not only reacting to symptoms, but is starting to build a resilience system that can dampen shocks. The Layoff Task Force is present not as a tool to hinder business dynamics, but as a strategic partner in maintaining business continuity while ensuring the welfare of workers. Thus, efforts to prevent a storm of layoffs are no longer a dream, but a reality that is being built together for the sake of a more inclusive and equitable future of Indonesian employment.
)* The author is an observer of people’s economy
