By: Jodi Mahendra
After going through a challenging period caused by the financial crisis that led to bankruptcy, one of Southeast Asia’s largest textile companies, PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk (Sritex), is showing signs of revival. Based in Sukoharjo, Central Java, the company suffered a major setback when it had to sever ties with over 11,000 employees since August 2024. This situation caused great concern not only for the affected workers but also for the local economic ecosystem, which has long relied on the sustainability of the textile industry.
Hope was reignited in early 2025. After undergoing a lengthy legal process supervised by the curatorial team, Sritex successfully attracted a new investor. The identity of this investor has not been officially disclosed due to the confidentiality of the acquisition process. The investor has agreed to gradually restart Sritex’s factory operations. The Head of the Sukoharjo Industry and Manpower Office (Disperinaker), Sumarno, revealed that the recruitment process has been planned gradually, starting with thousands of workers in various key divisions.
The Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, welcomed this move and expressed support. He assured that the transition process would be fair and transparent, ensuring that workers’ rights are upheld, whether they are being rehired or are still in the compensation process. The Ministry of Manpower will continue to oversee this process with the curators and new management to avoid any labor violations similar to those in the past.
As the factories in Sukoharjo reopen, the positive impact has already begun to be felt by the local community. Many families, who previously lost their primary source of income, now see a glimmer of hope. Not only that, but the revival of Sritex’s operations also opens opportunities for the recovery of other supporting sectors such as transportation, catering, logistics, and textile raw material suppliers. The SMEs that have long been business partners with Sritex are also preparing to receive orders that had been halted.
Previously, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that approximately 8,000 former Sritex employees who were laid off would be able to return under a new employment scheme. Furthermore, he hoped that all workers, across the four companies within PT Sritex, would return under the new arrangement.
The Curator Team of PT Sritex, Nurma Sadikin, also mentioned that after the operations restart, there will be new employee recruitment at Sritex. Recruitment will be handled by the new heavy equipment leasing companies, which were previously owned by PT Sritex. He noted that several investors are already in talks to lease the equipment. Therefore, the Curator Team is opening options for textile-focused investors to lease and invest in the company.
Meanwhile, the government is also taking steps to protect the 50,000 workers of PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk. (Sritex) through the Employment Loss Guarantee (JKP) program for those who have been laid off. Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan stated that the JKP program is designed to help workers who have lost their jobs by providing social protection and opportunities to re-enter the workforce.
With a foundation that is being strengthened once again, Sritex is now on the brink of a major transformation. If this revitalization process succeeds, Sritex will not only return as a textile giant in Indonesia but also be capable of competing in the global market with a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable face. Sritex’s success in rebuilding trust among workers, business partners, and the community will be the key to its new journey. Now, all eyes are on the strategic steps of the new management, while hoping that what is being built today will serve as a solid foundation for the future of Indonesia’s textile industry.
)* Social and Community Issues Observer
