Dasco Calls Pertamina CEO After Receiving Report of 55,000 Workers Facing Layoffs
House Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad made a direct phone call to PT Pertamina CEO Simon Aloysius Mantiri after receiving a report that 55,000 workers are threatened with layoffs due to rising industrial gas prices. Dasco took the action after receiving the report from the President of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers’ Unions (KSPSI), Andi Gani Nena Wea, during the KSPSI national working meeting in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (23/6).
“Mr Pertamina CEO, I am currently at the KSPSI national working meeting. I was just asked about the issue of industrial gas. So, I had already prepared a speech, but it all fell apart because of this gas issue,” Dasco said. “So first of all, before my speech, I want to ask how things stand regarding industrial gas and whether there is a solution,” he added.
On that occasion, Simon stated that his party would immediately coordinate with Pertamina Gas Negara (PGN) to make adjustments regarding LNG prices. “We will certainly do our best, Mr Dasco, so that there is an immediate improvement and, of course, to support our colleagues in the industry with appropriate prices,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Dasco urged that a solution to the industrial gas price issue be found quickly so that the threat of layoffs for 55,000 workers does not materialise. “The thing is, Mr Simon, within a few days there has already been a threat of layoffs. So perhaps we need to find a way out, or then also mitigate these layoffs in the near future,” he said. He then requested that a meeting be held soon to discuss the issue of industrial gas prices. “Perhaps we can sit down within a day or two with representatives from the workers, one or two, to represent them so we can find a way out,” he explained.
Earlier, KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea stated that 55,000 workers are at risk of being laid off as a result of the increase in industrial gas prices. He made the statement in front of House Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad during the KSPSI national working meeting in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (23/6). In his presentation, Andi Gani said the ceramics industry is experiencing difficulties due to the gas price hike. He noted that at least 55,000 workers from the Milenium Keramik and Mulia Keramik factories are threatened with dismissal. “Next week, within a maximum of ten days, 55,000 people will be laid off. This is a concern for all of us because of industrial gas,” he said.