The COVID-19 Pandemic, 41,384 Workers In East Java Are Laid Off And Sent Home

ILLUSTRATION / OFFICE BUILDING (DOK ANTARA)

SURABAYA - The number of workers in East Java who were laid off and sent home reached 41,384 people. They come from more than 600 companies.

"For those who were laid off, there were 7,246 workers, coming from 341 companies in East Java," said the Head of the East Java Manpower and Transmigration Service, Himawan Estu Bagijo, confirmed on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

The existence of massive layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic must be anticipated together. Himawan said the many waves of layoffs were also caused by many shops or industries that had stopped operating or closed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We hope that there will be active participation from the Manpower Office in the regions to participate in overcoming the wave of layoffs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we continue to record the workforce affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Himawan.

Meanwhile, he continued, the number of workers who were dismissed due to the COVID-19 pandemic was 34,138 workers from 608 companies. They are now also waiting for new jobs.

"Of course this increases the number of unemployed. It can even cause social problems," he said.

To overcome unemployment, said Himawan, it takes a massive job opening. However, what Disnaker can do is provide training, to improve the skills of workers who have been laid off or sent home.

"When given training in new skills that are different from previous work fields, it tends to be difficult. If the new workforce is easier," said Himawan