Dasco Says 'War' in Indonesia Has Just Begun, What Does He Mean?
Jakarta - The threat of layoffs (PHK) looming over several industrial sectors has become a serious concern for the government and workers. Amid global economic uncertainty, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad reminded that Indonesia is facing new challenges whose impacts could directly affect the business world and labour force.
According to Dasco, the current national economic situation cannot be separated from international geopolitical dynamics. Tensions occurring in various parts of the world, including the conflict between the United States and Iran, are seen as having consequences for the investment climate, industrial activity, and the potential for workforce reductions.
“Currently, the country’s situation is heavily influenced by global developments. The US-Iran war may have reached a point of peace. But in our country, the war has just begun. A war against layoffs, caused by the ripple effects of the global war reaching our nation. A war on how we jointly maintain the confidence of foreign investors,” Dasco said during the KSPI National Working Meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday (23/6/2026).
He assessed that the biggest challenge now is not only maintaining economic growth but also ensuring that investment activity continues to prevent a wider wave of layoffs. Therefore, Dasco called on the government, businesses, and labour unions to maintain national stability amidst global pressures.
“So that what? So that workers’ welfare is maintained and layoffs do not happen. A war on how we stay united in protecting our natural resources from being plundered or cheated, so they can be useful for our nation and country,” he stated.
The statement came amid growing concerns among workers over layoff threats in several manufacturing sectors. Previously, KSPSI President Andi Gani Nena Wea reported a potential layoff of around 55,000 workers in the ceramics industry in Bekasi, allegedly triggered by industrial gas price issues.
While acknowledging that global pressures have a real impact on businesses, Dasco stressed that Indonesia’s economic fundamentals remain strong. He noted that there are parties exploiting global sentiment to build negative perceptions of the national economy.
“Recently, there has been a phenomenon where some are taking advantage of global issues and their impacts to destabilise us,” Dasco said. “Our economic fundamentals are strong, our fiscal position is strong, yet it is being stirred up as if we are a country experiencing a collapse, which is not the case.”
He therefore urged workers to maintain solidarity and not be easily provoked by narratives that could worsen the situation. Economic and political stability, he said, are crucial factors for retaining investment and creating new job opportunities.
“Therefore, I ask my fellow workers to unite, to be solid in safeguarding the government, safeguarding our people together, maintaining labour solidarity for our collective welfare,” he concluded.