Deputy Minister of Manpower Stresses Mandatory Overtime Pay for National Holiday Work

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor facilitated a dialogue between PT Indomarco Prismatama (Indomaret) management and labour unions. The meeting involved the National Labour Union (SPN) and Indomaret Independent Workers Union (SPMI) to resolve a dispute over wages for work on national holidays. Afriansyah stressed that employees working on national holidays must receive overtime pay in accordance with existing regulations and laws, adding that a day-off swap system cannot substitute for overtime compensation. “The principle is a legal mandate. If employees work on national holidays, they must be paid overtime without exception,” he stated in a press release in Jakarta on Tuesday (26 May 2026). Previously, data suggested 98% of employees agreed to the day-off swap system, but labour unions suspect coercion behind the figures. In response, management and labour unions agreed to conduct a re-survey via questionnaire from 28 to 30 May 2026. The re-survey aims to ensure employees’ choices are neutral and voluntary. The meeting produced five commitment points. First, management will re-survey workers’ willingness to work on 31 May and 1 June 2026. The survey will take place on 28, 29, and 30 May 2026. The process involves labour unions and will be conducted at each branch’s HR department. Third, management will promptly address the request for collective bargaining agreement (PKB) negotiations.