Alert for PHK Wave Activated: Full Explanation from the Manpower Minister
Manpower Minister Yassierli has activated an alert for potential waves of layoffs (PHK). The government is now strengthening the early warning system while preparing retraining schemes for affected workers.
This was conveyed by Yassierli during a working meeting with Commission IX of the DPR RI. In the forum, he emphasised that the government is improving the system so that workers impacted by PHK receive not only financial assistance but also access to skills enhancement.
“What we have been striving for regarding the PHK early warning systems, how we are now trying to make access easier, how friends who are laid off truly receive a training package in line with the JKP (Job Loss Guarantee) programme, which already has regulations, but until now has not been optimal,” said Yassierli during the working meeting at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4/2026).
He acknowledged that the implementation of training programmes for PHK victims currently faces several challenges in the field.
“We see there are issues, perhaps confusion in choosing what programme suits them, whether there are issues related to the distance to access training locations, or indeed they do not yet know that the government has prepared upskilling and reskilling solutions when they face PHK,” he explained.
Mechanisms Already in Place
After the meeting, Yassierli explained that this early warning system mechanism is already operational and involves multiple cross-ministry parties. The system is designed to anticipate surges in PHK early on.
“There is an early warning system mechanism. So it is already running, as it is collaborative across ministries. Also, there are two mechanisms we have at the moment, namely cross-ministry collaboration, one of which discusses various matters and anticipates,” he clarified.
Additionally, the government is optimising the role of the National Tripartite Cooperation Institution (LKS) involving the government, business world, and trade unions.
“The second is that we have optimised the existence of the national tripartite LKS. There are representatives from the business world and trade unions. We have working groups related to regulations, working groups that address productivity including one of which is PHK,” he added.
Regarding the potential impact of global conflicts, including in the Middle East region, on surges in domestic PHK, Yassierli stressed that the government is not focusing on just one risk factor.
“We are not just because of one thing, so as I mentioned earlier… We always look at what needs to be prepared in the next three months, the Ministry of Finance has also formed task forces and teams, debottlenecking, and so on. And we coordinate continuously, so we carry out monitoring,” said Yassierli.
Maximising JKP
Meanwhile, Director General of Industrial Relations Development and Employment Social Security at the Ministry of Manpower, Indah Anggoro Putri, stated that the government will intensify the utilisation of training programmes within the Job Loss Guarantee (JKP) scheme.
“In JKP, there is a training benefit, as the Minister said earlier. We will optimise the training benefits for PHK victims,” said Indah on the same occasion.
According to her, so far, workers who have been laid off tend to utilise cash benefits more than training. However, this time it is different; the government will more intensively promote training for PHK victims.
“Because so far, PHK victims’ access has been more to cash benefits. Now we want to promote training benefits for PHK victims,” explained Indah.
Furthermore, Indah revealed the latest PHK data from January to April, as of 9 April 2026, amounting to 8,389 people.
“From January to April, as of today, the data is 8,389 people,” she concluded.