{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 2041404,
        "msgid": "900-ceramic-workers-face-lay-offs-as-industry-chief-explains-causes-1792162248",
        "date": "2026-10-16 20:50:00",
        "title": "900 Ceramic Workers Face Lay-offs as Industry Chief Explains Causes",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNBC",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Business",
        "summary": "Around 1,400 workers in Indonesia\u2019s ceramic industry have been affected by gas supply constraints, with about 500 already laid off and roughly 900 placed on unpaid or temporary leave. The industry association warns that utilisation could fall to about 60% by year-end if restrictions continue, potentially putting more jobs at risk.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia \u2013 A wave of redundancies is beginning to hit\nthe national ceramics industry amid problems with natural gas supplies.\nThousands of workers now face uncertainty as manufacturers cut\nproduction capacity because energy supplies are insufficient.<\/p>\n<p>Edy Suyanto, chairman of the Indonesian Ceramics Industry Association\n(Asaki), said the effects of gas restrictions were already being felt by\nindustry players. Several companies have begun reducing operations to\nbring production into line with available energy supplies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs of today, based on information from industry colleagues, around\n1,400 employees have been affected. About 500 were laid off in July,\nwhile around 900 are currently on furlough,\u201d Edy told CNBC Indonesia on\nFriday (14 October 2026).<\/p>\n<p>The situation is drawing concern because the ceramics industry had\nbeen trying to recover production performance throughout 2026. However,\ncontinuing gas restrictions mean companies face the risk of lower\nutilisation during a period that should have provided an opportunity to\nincrease output.<\/p>\n<p>Edy said capacity utilisation in the ceramics industry reached 75%\nfrom January to August 2026, up from 73% in the previous year. The\ntarget set at the start of the year was 78\u201380%, in line with increased\ndemand supported by government programmes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven the situation today and the restrictions on gas use,\nutilisation in October has fallen below 70%. If this continues through\nto the end of December, I am certain it will fall further below 70% in\nNovember and December, perhaps to around 60%,\u201d Edy said.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in utilisation could place further pressure on companies\u2019\nfinances. If production continues to shrink, the industry will have less\nroom to retain its workforce, particularly employees who are currently\nstill on furlough.<\/p>\n<p>Asaki raised the issue with the Ministry of Industry in\nmid-September. However, gas supply disruptions continued into October,\nmeaning the industry\u2019s operational certainty has yet to be fully\nrestored.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAutomatically, the 1,500 affected employees I mentioned\nearlier\u2014those who are still on furlough\u2014could be moved to lay-off\nstatus. This is what we need to prevent,\u201d Edy stressed.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/900-ceramic-workers-face-lay-offs-as-industry-chief-explains-causes-1792162248",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}