Analyst Applauds Dasco and Yassierli's Swift Response to TikTok PHK Issue

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Political analyst Hendri Satrio has commended the swift action taken by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Manpower Minister Yassierli in addressing the issue of potential layoffs at TikTok-Tokopedia. Satrio stated that the steps taken by the DPR and the Ministry of Manpower were crucial, as labour issues are a matter of public concern, meaning the government cannot wait for the issue to escalate before taking action. “The steps taken by Mr Dasco and Mr Yassierli were good and quick in responding to this. They immediately summoned the relevant parties, asked for an explanation, and did not let this layoff issue grow wildly unchecked,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday. According to Satrio, the meeting between the DPR, the Ministry of Manpower, and TikTok-Tokopedia demonstrates an awareness that layoffs are not merely an internal company matter, but also concern workers’ sense of security, public trust in the government, and the state’s protection of its citizens. “Layoffs are not just a matter between the company and its employees. When this issue became widespread, especially involving a large company, the public would immediately ask where the state is. So, a swift response like this is indeed necessary,” he said. “If the company says there are no layoffs, that is good, but it should not stop there. The government and the DPR must still ascertain the facts. The term should not just be changed to ‘workforce restructuring’ while workers still feel disadvantaged,” he added. Satrio also assessed that Dasco and Yassierli need to ensure the state does not merely become a place for companies to provide explanations, but actively guarantees worker protection. “Companies may transform, but workers should not be left in uncertainty. That is the state’s function. Calming the public is permissible, but protecting workers must remain the number one priority,” he said. He added that this swift response could serve as a signal that labour issues cannot be taken lightly, especially amid growing public anxiety over layoffs and the future of employment. “So, I praise the quick response, but this does not mean everything is settled. Just the opposite, this must be monitored. If not, the public will see it as merely a clarification stage,” he said. He stressed that the government and the DPR must ensure that any workforce restructuring is carried out transparently, fairly, and in accordance with regulations. The public, he said, needs certainty, not just statements that there are no layoffs. “What workers need is certainty. If there are truly no layoffs, explain it clearly. If there is restructuring, explain the impact on workers. The company’s language should not sound neat while the workers underneath are left confused,” said Hensa.