Deputy Labour Minister Facilitates Company-Worker Dialogue on Overtime Pay

Deputy Labour Minister Afriansyah Noor facilitated a dialogue between PT Indomarco Prismatama (Indomaret) management and labour unions (SPN and SPMI) to resolve disputes over overtime pay on national holidays. Speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, he stressed that under existing regulations and laws, employees working on national holidays must receive overtime pay. He emphasised that compensatory days off are not permitted as a substitute for working on national holidays. ‘The principle is a legal mandate. If employees work on a national holiday, they must be paid overtime without exception,’ said Afriansyah. Furthermore, the dialogue highlighted reports of alleged intimidation by store managers and area supervisors. Previously, data suggested 98% of employees agreed to the compensatory day system, but unions suspect coercion behind the figures. In response, it was agreed to re-conduct a questionnaire survey from 28 to 30 May 2026 to ensure employees’ choices are neutral and voluntary. Broadly, five key commitments were agreed upon during the meeting. First, management will re-conduct a survey on staff willingness to work on 31 May and 1 June 2026, with the survey taking place from 28 to 30 May 2026, involving labour unions at each branch’s HR department. Second, management will take strict action and impose sanctions against any individuals proven to have intimidated workers. Third, management will promptly address the request for collective bargaining agreement (PKB) negotiations, starting with verification of union membership at PT Indomarco Prismatama. Fourth, management will take no action against workers who participated in protests on 26 May 2026 and will pay their wages. Finally, PT Indomarco Prismatama management will pay overtime wages to staff who worked on 27 May 2026. ‘With this agreement, we hope workers’ welfare will be safeguarded and the industrial climate in Indonesia remains conducive,’ said the Deputy Labour Minister.