UNS – The economist of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Lukman Hakim, Ph. D, commenting on the unilateral layoff phenomenon conducted by several firms due to the poor business condition caused by COVID-19. Besides, the layoff does not follow the layoff procedure mentioned in Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Employment.
Responding to this phenomenon, Lukman Hakim, asks the government to take action toward the firms that perform unilateral mass layoffs to their labor without providing severance pay according to the Employment Law.
“If there is a unilateral layoff, it is clear that the firm is not a good one because there is a mechanism for it (layoff),” Lukman Hakim conveyed.
Further, Lukman said if the layoffs carried out by some companies occurred because the company had problems before the Indonesian economy was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, when pandemic affects Indonesia in early March, these forms cannot face the economic problems that arise.
“For example, in Solo, there are (firms) that paid half. The firm has a commitment to pay but cannot pay directly. Thus, if there are firms that directly conduct layoffs, it is government’s duty to regulate and if necessary, to summon (the firm) and impose sanctions,” Lukman continued.
Lukman Hakim who is a faculty member of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UNS stated that economic recession experienced by Indonesia is very influential for several economic sectors, both large and small scale. Thus, the role and seriousness of the government in handling the impact of COVID-19 pandemic must be proven, especially in the economic field.
The number of odd statements provided by the ministers in Jokowi administration gave an impression that the government is less alert and serious about handling this pandemic, according to Lukman. In this emergency, the government is expected to be fully serious and calm the public so that the community trusts the government in handling Covid-19.
On this occasion, Lukman also commenting on the vulnerable community groups which economic condition affected by the layoffs, laid off without severance, or lost income because they cannot work.
According to him, the government should do special data collection for community groups that have not been recorded in the Family Hope Program (Program Keluarga Harapan – PKH) or other social assistance.
“What needs to be considered in the COVID-19 handling is the vulnerable or near-poor group, the group which is not included in the poor category, but due to the economic crisis will go down into poor group as an impact of the layoff, have to close their business because of KLB or PSBB, and because of other reasons,” he said. Humas UNS/Yefta
