As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the textile industry in Central Java experienced a 'shock.' Therefore, companies must reduce their employees through termination of employment (PHK).
Through his report to the Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah, the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo said that although he was trying to contain the wave of layoffs, he admitted that it was not easy to hold companies from laying off during the pandemic.
"The Minister of Manpower (Ida) reports that a shock is happening in the textile industry. That's why in Central Java we conveyed to the CEO 'hold on, hold on, don't be laid off, let's try to find a solution'," said Ganjar.
Ganjar also saw shocks in other industries such as retail. This was marked by the closing of all Giant outlets in July this year. He admitted that he was worried about the massive layoffs in the sector.
"Yesterday's Giant closed I was nervous, surely Mrs. Ida was nervous too. If many people close, this is Mrs. Ida's homework," he said.
It is known, Giant revealed that it will close all of its outlets in July due to changes in people's behavior in shopping. However, until now it is not clear the fate of the workers.
Head of the Hero Supermarket Workers Union (SPHS), Karmanih said that until now he and his friends have not received certainty about the possibility of transferring Giant employees who have not been laid off to other business units of PT Hero Supermarket Tbk such as Guardian and IKEA.
Because, according to him, it is not yet clear when the Guardian outlet and the new IKEA building will open. However, it is also estimated that the absorption of labor from the two business units will not be much at Giant.
"In Guardian, for example, when talking about accommodating Giant employees, this is also not an easy thing considering that many Guardian outlets are closed because they are on the same floor with Giant. This means that the Guardian must prioritize employees whose outlets are closed," he said
Meanwhile, for the new IKEA store which will accommodate the ex-Giant employees, Karmanih said, the construction cannot be carried out in the near future.
Until now, management is still ensuring that the severance pay of employees affected by layoffs will be paid according to the Collective Labor Agreement (PKB) and refers to Law No. 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower.
