"We are studying it and will summon the concerned companies, including confirmation about those in the regions," the Minister for Manpower said at the office of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Minister for Manpower was not yet able to provide clarifications regarding plans to layoff workers of the energy company Chevron, electronic firms Panasonic and Toshiba and the automotive company, Ford.
He assured that irrespective of the companies reasons to layoff their workers, the government would do its best to protect workers rights and to seek best solutions to any problem.
"We would first find out about their layoff plans, and how they plan to safeguard the workers rights. Of course we will seek solutions," said the minister.
He said he could understand if the layoffs were on account of companies doing business in the energy sector such as oil and gas because the global price of oil is falling.
"Frankly speaking, companies in the oil sector are facing a great challenge because of the gloomy world oil prices. They must continue to anticipate the situation. We have to coordinate with relevant technical ministries and companies," he explained.
In the meantime, the head of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Franky Sibarani, said he had so far not received information about companies willing to sever work relations with workers due to business or operational difficulties.
He said the best thing that needed to be done at this time was to maintain a positive investment climate by making it easier for companies to obtain licenses and carry out further deregulation.
"We are improving the business climate, revising the investment negative list (DNI), providing three-hour business license service as part of an integrated one-stop service and are granting tax allowance and tax holiday facilities," he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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