Termination Task Force Becomes Government Instrument to Maintain Employment Stability
By: Dhita Karuniawati
In facing the dynamics of the global economy that is full of uncertainty, the Indonesian government continues to strive to maintain employment stability. One concrete effort made is the formation of the Termination Task Force (Satgas PHK). This task force is expected to be the front guard in preventing a spike in unemployment rates and maintaining harmonious industrial relations between employers and workers.
The current global economic conditions are experiencing quite significant pressure. Factors such as global inflation, geopolitical conflicts, and economic slowdowns in several developed countries have had a further impact on the Indonesian economy. In the employment sector, this pressure can be seen from the increasing number of cases of termination of employment, especially in labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, footwear, and electronics.
Seeing the potential for greater risks if there is no intervention, the government formed the Termination Task Force as a quick response to the turmoil. This task force consists of government, business, and labor union elements, so it is expected to be an effective coordination forum in resolving labor conflicts, preventing mass layoffs, and seeking alternative solutions together.
President Prabowo Subianto’s move to form the Termination of Employment Task Force (Satgas PHK) is not just an instant reaction to the increasing concerns of workers. More than that, this is a strong signal that the government is preparing to face the impact of the global economy with a strategic and collaborative approach.
In this context, the PHK Task Force is not only a reactive attitude to the threat of layoffs, but can also be a catalyst for a paradigm shift in industrial relations in Indonesia.
The instruction to form the PHK Task Force delivered at the Economic Discussion on April 8, 2025, opens up opportunities for the formation of synergy between various strategic elements: government, business, workers, and experts.
This is a step that deserves to be appreciated because it shows a collective awareness that solving labor problems cannot be handled sectorally or unilaterally.
Deputy Chairperson of the National Energy Council (DEN), Mari Elka Pangestu said that the formation of the Layoff Task Force is part of the government’s anticipatory steps in maintaining the stability of the employment sector amidst global economic uncertainty.
It is important to realize that today’s layoff problem does not only come from stagnant conventional employment relations practices, but also from the rapid transformation of the global economy.
Donald Trump’s protectionist policies that have re-emerged, for example, have not only had an impact on Indonesia’s export sector, but also on the perception of long-term risk for investment and employment.
This means that efforts to avoid layoffs cannot simply rely on short-term compromises such as reducing working hours or momentary incentives.
A systemic and anticipatory approach is needed that is rooted in the resilience of the national industry and the capability of workers to adapt.
Director General of Industrial Relations and Social Security for Workers (PHI JSK), Indah Anggoro Putri said that the Layoff Task Force will consist of personnel from various ministries or institutions and related stakeholders in order to mitigate or prevent potential layoffs. For this reason, a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) is being prepared.
Indah also said that the formation of the PHK Task Force will not only handle the matter of layoffs, but also anticipatory steps related to job expansion.
MayDay on May 1, which is planned to be attended by President Prabowo at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, is a strategic moment to publicly announce the government’s grand vision for the future of Indonesian employment.
The President’s presence is not only a political symbol, but must be followed by a declaration of concrete commitment to fairer labor regulation reforms, major investments in job training, and the formation of an industrial ecosystem that supports job sustainability.
In the midst of an uncertain global economic situation, Indonesia needs a firm stance in protecting its workers, not with rhetoric, but with policies that are data-based, pro-future, and based on social justice.
So indeed the PHK Task Force, if managed with a far-sighted vision, could be a symbol of a new era of industrial relations in Indonesia. No longer a relationship full of suspicion between employers and workers, but a strategic partnership for national economic resilience.
