BPJS Ketenagakerjaan noted that in February 2023 claims for the Job Loss Guarantee (JKP) program amounted to IDR 35.6 billion. This figure is much increased compared to the same period last year. Most workers who claim the JKP program are workers in the consumer goods industry. The industries in question include the cigarette industry, clothing and textile industries. Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Adi Mahfudz Wuhadji, said that there was no connection between the mass layoffs (PHK) and the moment leading up to Eid. According to him, employers do not necessarily lay off their employees.

"So actually it can't be done, let alone layoffs being linked with the approaching Eid, that's not true. I don't think so," said Adi, Thursday (13/4).

Adi explained that there were many parameters that had to be met before the company made layoffs. For example, the company must be in a state of loss for two consecutive years, bankruptcy occurs, and must be reported to the manpower office.

This must also be done through bipartite social dialogue which aims to find win-win solutions based on an agreement between employers and workers.

Adi further said that the existence of Minister of Manpower Regulation (Permenaker) Number 5 of 2023 concerning Adjustment of Working Time and Wages in Certain Export-Oriented Labor-Intensive Industrial Companies Affected by Changes in the Global Economy, can also prevent layoffs.

In addition, ahead of Eid there are potentially 123 million travelers returning to their hometowns. This is directly proportional to the increase in consumption and people's purchasing power for a product.

Such as food-beverage and textile products, clothing and footwear. Thus, it will improve the wheels of the economy, which are mostly supported by MSMEs.

"Imagine more or less what the government projects is 123 million returning home, meaning that he will bring his wages earlier, his income earlier, to buy something, whether in the form of souvenirs, daily needs, people's consumption or purchasing power will definitely increase," explained Adi .

Contacted separately, the President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSBSI), Elly Rosita Silaban, admitted that he had heard rumors about imminent layoffs. Even so, this is just an issue and there have been no reports from members regarding layoffs.

Elly asked employers not to use the narrative of the potential for a global economic crisis or a decline in orders from abroad as an excuse for layoffs. Moreover, on the one hand, economic recovery and national economic growth are moving towards improvement.

"So there is no reason for that (layoffs)," said Elly.

Elly further asked the Ministry of Manpower and labor inspectors to be present to monitor companies implementing labor regulations in accordance with statutory regulations. So that no company arbitrarily lays off its employees.

Elly also assessed that the Minister of Manpower Regulation (Permenaker) Number 5 of 2023 was not necessarily able to prevent layoffs. This is because this regulation only legitimizes that export-oriented labor-intensive industries can cut wages by up to 25% on the grounds that they are affected by changes in the global economy.

"That is not a guarantee that there will be no layoffs," said Elly.