Marak There Were Layoffs, Kemenperin Please Deposit Danone Aqua Di Solok Kembali Operasi Normal

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry continues to spur the development of the bottled drinking water industry (AMDK) in order to make a significant contribution to the national economy, one of which is by wanting the Aqua Danone factory in Solok, West Sumatra, to resume operations.

The Aqua Danone factory is known to have laid off hundreds of workers in the area, sparking anger from the Regent of Solok who immediately went to the factory.

"We want the issue of industrial relations to be resolved quickly. This industrial problem has an impact on the utilization of Aqua Solok, which is currently only 20 percent. The loading and unloading workforce (TKBM) supporting the AMDK industry has also been affected, as well as retail workers," said Ministry of Industry spokesman Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, in Jakarta, Monday, December 5.

"More than that, we want the Aqua Solok plant to immediately produce to support the conducive investment climate in West Sumatra," he continued.

The Ministry of Industry has also conducted a field search at PT Tirta Investama (Aqua) Solok to find out about the problems that befell the bottled drinking water producer (AMDK) factory.

"Both parties are expected to continue to follow the applicable rules in resolving disputes and finding a way to win a win solution with the principle of mutual respect, so as not to interfere with the factory production process and also the investment climate in Solok Regency," said Febri.

The Aqua Solok factory is the 13th AMDK facility founded by the Aqua Group in Indonesia on June 20, 2013.

The establishment of this factory is carried out to meet the needs of healthy and quality drinking water for the people of West Sumatra.

The Aqua Solok factory has a total workforce of 155 people with production utilities reaching 60-75 percent.

In addition, this factory also has three production lines, namely two gallon production lines and one bottle production line (600mL and 1500mL).

Head of Aqua Solok Factory, Endro Wibowo said, the company is committed to doing the best in its operations and continues to provide Aqua products to meet the hydration needs of consumers in the surrounding area.

"We believe stakeholders will support a conducive and safe investment environment, so that we can make a better contribution to Solok Regency and the people around the factory in particular," he added.

For information, the power of the AMDK industry in the country is currently supported by 641 companies with a total production capacity of 30 billion liters per year.

Meanwhile, AMDK consumption in the domestic market reaches 29.8 billion liters per year.

The trade balance in this industry has a surplus of 15.5 million US dollars by contributing foreign exchange through its exports to 17 million US dollars in 2021.

In order to boost the performance of the AMDK industry, it is necessary to create a conducive business climate, including in maintaining industrial relations between company management and its workers.

With a harmonious working atmosphere, it will boost optimal productivity. This is believed to have a good impact on the company's performance.