Trade Union Demands Electricity Sector Be Removed from Support Services Category

The General Chairman of the PLN Indonesia Power Services Trade Union, Suryawan, stated that the union expects the revision to remove the electricity sector from the support services classification. “We will continue to oversee this revision process until it is completed. Our hope is that the electricity sector will no longer be included in the support services category, thereby providing certainty for workers who possess specialised competencies in this field,” said Suryawan. According to the trade union, the provision in the regulation could affect workers’ welfare because it may serve as a basis for limiting welfare improvements, including in terms of wages. Currently, around 4,900 workers, comprising those on Fixed-Term Employment Agreements (PKWT) and Permanent Employment Agreements (PKWTT), could be affected if the provision is maintained. The Secretary-General of the PLN Indonesia Power Services Trade Union, Sigit Pambudi, emphasised that workers in the power generation sector have a strategic role in maintaining the reliability of the national electricity supply. “Workers in the power generation sector are skilled personnel who possess competencies and bear great responsibility in maintaining the reliability of the national electricity system. Therefore, the regulations drafted must consider the characteristics and strategic role of this sector,” said Sigit. The trade union stated that it will continue to monitor the revision process until it is completed. The organisation hopes that the revised regulation will provide regulatory certainty that is more aligned with the nature of work in the electricity sector, while also safeguarding the continuity of national electricity services and the protection of workers’ welfare.