Pusri to shed 1,300 workers

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (JP): State-owned fertilizer company PT Pupuk Sriwijaya, also known as Pusri, plans to shed up to 1,300 workers from its 5,210-strong workforce as part of an efficiency program.

"The current number of employees is not ideal. Thus, Pusri's management wants to cut the number," company spokesman Bambang Subiyanto told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He said that, ideally, Pusri's four fertilizer plants should have had a maximum of 2,400 workers, or 600 workers per plant.

He did not reveal details of the plan, but one employee who requested anonymity said the company had offered an early retirement package to those over the age of 46.

The workers were reportedly offered cash compensation of between Rp 80 million (US$8,500) and over Rp 300 million. (33).