Rejecting Low Severance Pay, Sleman Garment Factory Workers Protest at Regent's Office

Workers from PT Mataram Tunggal Garment (MTG) staged a demonstration in front of the Sleman Regent’s Office. They rejected the severance payment of 0.5 times the company provision and demanded payment of two times as per the law. Observations from detikJogja showed the workers conducting a long march from the Sleman regional field to the regent’s office. They walked carrying several posters. The group briefly stopped at the Sleman Manpower Office and held speeches. They then continued the action in front of the regent’s office and proceeded with speeches. The protesting masses demanded to meet with the Sleman Regent and DPRD representatives to convey their aspirations. “My demand is that we as employees request two percent severance. Because we were only given 0.5,” said one PT MTG employee, Hariyani, when met by journalists during the action on Wednesday (1/4/2026). She explained that the layoffs occurred in two waves. The first wave happened shortly after the factory fire on 21 May 2025, affecting 989 workers. Meanwhile, the second wave is scheduled for 28 April, targeting 379 workers. “We are still working and the last plan is on 28 April we will all be laid off, cut-off. (Total all) 379 workers,” said the woman who has worked at PT MTG for 26 years. In the first wave of layoffs, the employees received severance of 0.75 percent. Meanwhile, the average workers affected by the second wave layoffs have worked at the factory for decades. “Whereas the previous one was more than zero point five for the first layoffs. We reject the zero point five severance because of our struggle for more than twenty-five years,” she emphasised. Based on the information she received, the reason for the 0.5 percent severance is the company’s financial condition. Especially after the fire that razed almost the entire factory. However, in reality, the factory continues to operate and receives orders. She also heard there are plans for reconstruction. “Because the reason is said to be bankrupt but if bankrupt why are there still orders outside named CMT. And there are still reconstruction plans,” she said. Meanwhile, the Chair of the Advocacy Division of DPD KSPSI DIY, Waljito, added that based on data collected by his side, PT MTG is not experiencing losses and orders continue to flow. Therefore, he is accompanying the workers to conduct bipartite negotiations at the Sleman Manpower Office so that the company can provide severance rights as demanded. “Yes, we will endeavour this later bipartite, we will fight so that our rights are fulfilled. If they evade, they resist, they then do not meet our demands, yes we will continue to the next struggle,” he stated. The workers who carried out the action were then met by the Sleman Regent, Deputy Regent of Sleman, Deputy Chair of the Sleman DPRD, Head of the Sleman Manpower Office, and other officials. When meeting the workers, Sleman Regent Harda Kiswaya conveyed that the regional government will bridge and seek solutions for the workers. “We will try to help find a solution. We will discuss with the PT MTG management, what is the best solution,” said Harda. In addition, he will communicate directly with the PT MTG board to help resolve this issue. “I will try to contact Mr Robi (PT MTG board). Hopefully later I can dialogue with him and find the best solution,” he said. Harda asked the workers to be patient waiting for a solution from the local government. “I ask all of you to be patient, give the local government a chance to find a solution. This is part of our responsibility to you,” he concluded.