Indonesian Workers in Central Java Could Face Sanctions Over Nationwide Strike

SEMARANG, KOMPAS.com – Employers have warned workers in Central Java province to refrain from taking part in a national strike to protest the new job creation law as they could face sanctions under Law No. 13/2003 on Manpower.

Central Java Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) chairman Frans Kongie lamented the plan to stage the nationwide strike to protest the passage of the omnibus law on job creation, saying it was created to improve the welfare of workers.

“In my opinion, the workers do not clearly understand what omnibus law is all about. The government can't make the workers suffer,” said Frans in a statement on Tuesday, October 6.

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“Apindo will not exist without the workers. Workers are our partners,” he added.

He said that the lawmakers carefully studied the matter before passing the omnibus law.

“The members of the House of Representatives are credible people. They are representing the people. So, we are surprised when hearing that the people wanted to go on national strike to protest the job creation law,” he said.

Frans argued that the businesspeople waited long for this new law to facilitate investment, licensing, and trade.

“So far, the existing regulations are too many, overlapping each other. We have to provide so many reports. This is very inefficient for the business,” he explained.

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Frans said Apindo has sent letters to its members at the district level, calling them to provide a better understanding to their employees regarding the manpower law so the workers would not stage the protest.

“The [manpower] law imposes sanctions against a national strike. If a worker takes part in the national strike, it violates the law and they could face sanctions,” he said.

He went on to say that the sanctions will depend on each company. “It could be in the form of warning letters and termination of employment. The latter is the toughest.” 

He hoped that the workers will not take part in the nationwide strike as this would only add to the difficulties that both workers and employers have had to endure during this Covid-19 pandemic.

(Writer: Riska Farasonalia | Editor: Dony Aprian)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/10/07/07003801/gelar-aksi-mogok-nasional-buruh-di-jateng-terancam-di-phk?page=2