Workers Demand Resolution of Protracted Layoff Dispute
Hundreds of workers united in a solidarity action by the Federation of Global Trade Unions Indonesia (FSPGI) from across Greater Jakarta once again staged a protest in Jakarta on Thursday (9 July 2026). The action is a continuation of an industrial relations dispute that has been escalating since 6 April 2026, following the dismissal of 12 workers by a printer manufacturing company, a process that is considered to have reached a deadlock without any agreement.
Abdul Bais, President of the FSPGI Central Board, emphasised that the action was a follow-up to the union’s efforts, having previously sent a mediation request dated 5 June 2026.
“We are now in front of the Japanese Embassy. Earlier we were received. I conveyed that I had previously sent a letter, dated 5 June 2026, which was received on 8 June 2026,” Abdul said in Jakarta on Thursday (9 July 2026).
Abdul explained the fundamental reason why the union chose to protest directly at the Japanese Embassy.
“Because there has been no mediation from the Japanese Embassy, we came here. We hope the Japanese Embassy can hold a social dialogue with us so that this problem is resolved quickly,” he asserted.
At each protest location, Abdul said the crowd brought their demands along with two key documents: a statement of position and a chronology of the problems that have occurred since 6 April 2026.
“So we are clarifying our position. Secondly, the chronology so that they can better understand the actual problems that have been happening all this time,” he added.
Abdul expressed his disappointment at the inadequate response from the company’s management.
“We were disappointed earlier. Even though we delivered the protest notification letter last Monday, when we arrived at the office all the employees were working from home. That suggests there was coordination. The company genuinely does not want to engage in dialogue,” he revealed.
Regarding the third protest location at the German Embassy, he expressed confidence that the German Embassy, as the representative of a country that upholds humanitarian principles towards workers, would pay attention to the status of the workers unilaterally dismissed by the company, particularly as many of the company’s products are marketed in that social-democratic country.
“We predict the German Embassy will apply more pressure, because the company sells many of its products in Germany. So when this problem arises, I am confident the German Ambassador will want to find out what has happened,” he said.
Furthermore, Abdul stressed that the union would continue to pursue dialogue. However, if there is no breakthrough, the union has not ruled out pursuing legal channels and boycotting the company’s products as a further form of protest.
“Yes, before we carry out large-scale actions involving the National Deliberation Alliance, we hope all stakeholders use this time to accelerate dialogue so that a peace agreement can be reached and the matter resolved,” he concluded.