Said Iqbal: Government to Establish Facts on Tokopedia and TikTok Layoff Issue

Presidential Special Adviser on Employment and Worker Welfare Said Iqbal has stated he will personally follow up on the issue of layoffs at Tokopedia and TikTok to obtain the facts before the government takes further steps. “We must not listen to only one side. The government must get a complete picture of what actually happened,” said Said Iqbal when confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday. Said Iqbal said this step is being taken to obtain the full facts before the government takes further action. “I am arranging a time to meet directly with the workers and the company,” he said. According to Said Iqbal, the digital economy sector has different characteristics from the manufacturing industry, so every employment issue must be viewed comprehensively. Tokopedia and TikTok are part of the platform-based digital economy industry. Because of this, he will first go into the field to find the facts. “I will invite the Ministry of Manpower to jointly conduct an in-depth investigation so that the root of the problem is clearly known,” he added. He stressed that if the investigation finds any violations of labour laws and regulations, the government will take action according to its authority. However, Said Iqbal reminded that the government also needs to look at the business conditions faced by the company. If the problem is related to market dynamics, changes in the business model, or economic pressures causing the company to suffer losses, then the resolution must be carried out through constructive dialogue between the government, the company, and the workers. “Not all layoff issues have the same cause. If the problem is related to the market situation or the company’s business conditions, of course we will sit down together to find the best solution that still protects workers while maintaining business continuity,” he said. He said the government’s current approach prioritises direct resolution in the field. This model was previously applied in a number of industrial relations cases and successfully prevented layoffs for thousands of workers. According to him, dialogue facilitated by the government can produce good solutions. In one case, around 4,000 workers were saved from the threat of layoffs through this approach. “Therefore, we will apply the same approach to problems in the digital economy sector,” said Said Iqbal. In the near future, Said Iqbal is targeting to meet with Tokopedia and TikTok workers together with the Ministry of Manpower to get a direct picture of the situation. “In accordance with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, the government will continue to be present to protect workers while maintaining a healthy business climate. The principle is simple, every problem must be resolved based on facts, through dialogue, and by upholding the applicable law,” he added.