Ministry Of Manpower Asks For Michelin Employee Layoffs To Be The Last Option

Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor (Photo: ANTARA)

Deputy Minister of Manpower Afriansyah Noor appealed to the management of the Michelin tire manufacturer or PT Multistrada Arah Sarana (MAS) to consider Termination of Work Relations (PHK) as the last solution in overcoming global market problems or dynamics.

It is planned that in stages, on November 30, 2025, there will be 280 out of around 2800 workers who are threatened with layoffs by the French tire manufacturer.

"We ask both parties to prioritize bipartite dialogue between management and workers regarding layoffs of 280 workers," Afriansyah said in a statement to the media, Friday, November 7.

Afriansyah hopes that private companies will be able to deal with other options or find alternative solutions to deal with the difficult economy as it is today. Until now, the government is still focusing on improving the economy to reduce the unemployment rate.

"But if there is a layoff or a reduction in employees because they are facing a global economic situation, we respect the policies issued by management. I hope that MAS will still be present and contribute to Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, the President Director of MAS, Igor Zyemit, emphasized that the steps taken by the company to reduce employees were part of efforts to adjust to dynamic global market conditions.

He acknowledged that in the last 2 years, the tire manufacturing industry in Indonesia, including Michelin, has faced major challenges. Including the new US tariff policy which has an impact on the company's global competitiveness.

"We have taken various adaptation steps to ensure the welfare of workers is maintained. But further adjustments are now needed to maintain long-term sustainability and maintain Indonesia's important role in the global Michelin network," he said.

Sementara Guntoro Ketua Pimpinan Unit Kerja (PUK) MAS meminta perusahaan mencabut surat PHK dan skorsing yang telah diterbitkan oleh perusahaan dan mempekerjakan kembali pekerja yang telah diberikan surat PHK dan skorsing.

"Setelah itu, baru kita berunding tentang mekanisme pengurangan pekerja, " katanya.

Usai pertemuan, Afriansyah menyatakan pihak perusahaan siap membatalkan atau mencabut surat PHK.

Langkah berikutnya, perusahaan akan memberikan opsi pelatihan kepada pekerja tersebut. Ketiga, proses bipartit bisa segera dimulai antara manajemen dengan pekerja.

Meanwhile, Guntoro, Head of the MAS Work Unit (PUK), asked the company to revoke the layoffs and suspensions that had been issued by the company and re-employ workers who had been given layoffs and suspension letters.

"After that, then we will negotiate about the mechanism for reducing workers," he said.

After the meeting, Afriansyah stated that the company was ready to cancel or revoke the layoff letter.

The next step, the company will provide training options to the workers. Third, the bipartite process can begin immediately between management and workers.