6,604 Workers in Central Java Laid Off Throughout 2026
A total of 6,604 workers in Central Java have been affected by layoffs (PHK) throughout 2026. The textile and garment sector contributed the largest share, reaching 51.4 per cent, followed by the manufacturing and children’s toy industries at 21.1 per cent.
To meet these employment needs, a number of regions have opened job fairs expected to accommodate laid-off workers.
“The Demak Regency Government, in partnership with 30 companies, is holding a job fair opening vacancies that will provide as many as 2,480 job openings,” said Demak Regent Eistianah.
A similar step was expressed by Rembang Regent Harno, who said that in June and July 2026, the regional government organised a job fair providing 3,244 job vacancies. This was done as an effort to reduce unemployment and improve residents’ welfare.
Rembang Regency’s open unemployment rate (TPT) is currently recorded at 2.90 per cent.
Cicik Sulastri, Head of the Industry and Manpower Office of Kendal Regency, said that with the regency’s open unemployment rate reaching 4.60 per cent, her office had partnered with 30 companies and private employment placement agencies (LPKS) to hold a job fair recruiting 3,117 workers in July.
Ahmad Aziz, Head of the Central Java Manpower and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans), said separately that up to the end of July 2026, the number of workers affected by layoffs in the province had reached 6,604, spread across a number of companies in various regions.
Based on the data, Ahmad Aziz continued, the textile and garment sector contributed the largest share of layoffs at 51.4 per cent. This was followed by the manufacturing and children’s toy industries at 21.1 per cent, the wood and furniture industry at 12.5 per cent, and the false eyelash industry at 9.4 per cent.
According to Ahmad Aziz, the companies carrying out layoffs were PT Citra Busana Semesta (Sukoharjo) with 920 workers, PT Victory Apparel (Semarang) with 846 workers, PT Combine Will Industrial Indonesia with 849 workers, PT Samwon Busana Indonesia (Jepara) with 685 workers, PT Sas Kreasindo Utama (Tegal) with 681 workers, and PT Cosmoprof Indokarya (Purbalingga) with 620 workers.
A number of workers remain in a production area that has ceased operations for a month at the PT Victory Apparel Indonesia factory in the Tanjung Emas Port area, Semarang.
The closure of the South Korea-headquartered company was confirmed after company representatives reported notice of the closure plan.
The cessation of operations occurred because the company had not received production orders since June 2026, which halted the company’s production activities.
Political observer Hendri Satrio, also known as Hensa, praised Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Minister of Manpower Yassierli for following up on the layoffs at TikTok-Tokopedia.
Edy Wuryanto, a member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, said the layoff case at Tokopedia serves as a reminder that the threat of layoff waves still looms over various sectors.