Gov’t Affirms Commitment to Protect Workers in Settlement of Sritex Bankruptcy

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi along with related ministers and parties deliver a press statement at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta on Monday (03/03). (Photo: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

The government emphasizes its commitment to finding the best solution for publicly listed textile company PT Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex) workers affected by the company’s bankruptcy. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that President Prabowo Subianto paid full attention to this issue, especially regarding the future of the workers.

“Based on instructions of Mr President, he expressed his concern about how the government finds a solution, especially regarding potential problems that might occur to the workers at Sritex” said Prasetyo Hadi in a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta on Monday (03/03).

Prasetyo Hadi also added that the government has coordinated with several parties to discuss settlement measures. One of the solutions is offering to investors to rent Sritex assets to revive production and absorb the labor that has been affected by layoffs.

PT Sritex curator team, represented by Nurma Sadikin, said that they have opened the option of renting the company’s assets to maintain the value of assets. This measure is also expected to open new opportunities for former Sritex workers to return to work.

“We are discussing this, so in two weeks, the curator will decide which investor will rent Sritex assets that may absorb labor. Additionally, workers affected by layoffs might be re-hired by new tenants,” explained Nurma.

In addition, the curator team is committed to ensuring that the workers’ rights are fulfilled, including severance pay and other rights, which are currently in the process of claim registration.

In the meantime, Coordinator of the Sritex Group Workers Union, Slamet Kaswanto, expressed great hope that Sritex factory could be re-opened so that the workers affected by layoffs could return to work. He emphasized that this news became a hope for thousands of laid-off workers caused by the bankruptcy.

“We hope that all Sritex employees or workers, ex-Sritex I mean, who were laid-off can return to work with the new tasks but similar to their previous roles,” said Slamet.

Minister of Manpower Yassierli emphasized that the government continues to protect the rights of PT Sritex workers, including severance package and employee social security benefits such as old-age benefits (JHT) and unemployment insurance program (JKP). He also ensured that workers’ normative rights would continue to be fulfilled in accordance with regulations.

“The Ministry of Manpower also appreciates the various commitments and steps taken by the curator, as previously mentioned, that in the next two weeks workers will be re-employed. This will certainly provide peace of mind to workers affected by layoffs,” said Yassierli.

Closing the press conference, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi expressed hope that the entire process could run smoothly for the benefits of the workers.

“We ask for prayers and support so that all processes, as previously mentioned, both from the curatorial team and from the government, could run smoothly allowing workers to return to work as before,” he concluded.

Also atending the press conference were, among others, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Minister of Manpower Yassierli, Coordinator of Sritex Group Workers Union Slamet Kaswanto, and representative of PT Sritex curatorial team Nurma Sadiqin. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)(RD/RAS/LW)