Kulon Progo Government Commits to No Mid-Contract Dismissals for PPPK Amid Efficiency Drive

The Government of Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, has affirmed its commitment not to terminate the employment of Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK) in the middle of their ongoing contracts. Kulon Progo Regent Agung Setyawan stated on Monday that budget efficiency for personnel expenditure is achieved through streamlining the organizational structure, not by dismissing workers. “The Kulon Progo Regency Government’s commitment is that there will be no mid-contract dismissals before the contract period ends,” said Agung Setyawan.

Agung noted that the portion of personnel expenditure in Kulon Progo has been successfully reduced to 38 percent of the total Regional Budget (APBD), down from a previous level above 40 percent. The regency government is targeting a gradual reduction of this ratio to 35–36 percent. To achieve this efficiency target without layoffs, the Kulon Progo government is implementing strategic measures such as streamlining the Organizational Structure and Work Procedures (SOTK) and conducting periodic evaluations of contract workers.

“Efficiency is not only viewed from a financial perspective but also from building maintenance and electricity. Furthermore, regarding the SOTK, we are merging several Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) to form a lean but dynamic structure,” he said. Regarding the fiscal burden of PPPK appointments, Agung acknowledged regional fiscal challenges following the shift in responsibility for PPPK salaries from the central government to regional budgets. Nevertheless, the Kulon Progo government continues to adhere to the central directive of not reducing personnel.

He urged all PPPK civil servants within the Kulon Progo government to remain calm in performing their duties and to focus on improving performance. Meanwhile, the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Sri Sultan HB X, stated that the management and handling of contract workers and PPPK are left to the respective regency/city governments. “That is their own affair, regencies have their own personnel, the province has its own personnel,” said the Sultan. The Sultan explained that within the DIY Provincial Government, employee contracts are subject to a periodic evaluation system every two years based on assessments of ability and competence. “If they lack the ability, they stop. But if they have the ability under the agreed assessment conditions, they may be reappointed. The principle is periodic evaluation,” the Sultan clarified.