Jakarta – Indonesian Workers Union Association (Aspek) president Mirah Sumirat has called on the government to anticipate massive layoffs that might occur due to the country's economic slowdown and the weakening of the rupiah.

"One of the measures the government must carry out is lowering fuel and basic commodity prices so that the people's purchasing power can be maintained," she said as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Mirah said a decline in fuel prices would reduce production costs so that companies could maintain their production activities without needing to start laying people off.

The labor activist further said that many policies the government had taken contradicted real conditions in the country.

While thousands of workers were being threatened with layoffs, the government had instead eased requirements, including a mandatory Indonesian language proficiency test for foreign workers who sought jobs in Indonesia, she added.

"We reject such a policy because the number of unemployed people and layoffs in Indonesia is still high. According to the Central Statistics Agency [BPS], the number of unemployed people in Indonesia increased by 300,000 to 7.47 million in February," said Mirah.

Citing data earlier presented by Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri, 26,000 employees were laid off in 2015.

"The government should have responded to this situation by giving adequate protection to Indonesian workers, instead of giving a 'red carpet' to foreign workers so they can easily get a job in Indonesia," said Mirah.

She said that instead of submitting to the influence of foreign investors, the government must be brave and protect the interests of its people. Article 27 (2) of the 1945 Constitution guarantees citizens the right to decent work and employment without any discrimination. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/01/govt-urged-deal-with-massive-layoffs.html