Kimia Farma Ensures That It Will Not Lay Off And Cut Employee Salaries

Illustration. (Photo: Twitter @kimiafarma)

JAKARTA - The corona virus pandemic or COVID-19 in Indonesia is increasingly spreading. The negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has also been felt by state-owned enterprises (BUMN). However, PT Kimia Farma Tbk (KAEF) ensures that there will be no termination of employment (PHK) and a reduction in employee salaries.

Mass layoffs occurred because companies were unable to withstand the pressure of COVID-19. In fact, the state-owned airline PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) has taken a policy to cut employee salaries. This is because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has an impact on the lack of passengers. Moreover, the government has issued a policy to stay at home.

Kimia Farma President Director Verdi Budidarmo said that his company would maintain and not cut the salaries of its employees.

Verdi said that the total number of Kimia Farma employees currently remains at 12,881 employees. These employees include employees of PT Phapros Tbk, a subsidiary.

"We do not layoff and reduce employee salaries," he said, during a virtual hearing (RDP) with Commission VI of the DPR RI, in Jakarta, Tuesday, April 21.

In conditions like this, Verdi revealed, the company has made several preventive measures both internally and externally to safeguard these employees.

In addition, said Vendi, the company has implemented several health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as implemented the government's appeal regarding Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB).

"We monitor the health and safety of employees, especially in front liner and distribution and manufacturing. Give PPE both masks and gloves as well as multivitamins for employees to maintain endurance," he explained.

Apart from focusing on workers, Vendi said that his party has also carried out several social activities for the community. One of them is conducting education related to the COVID-19 virus through pharmacists and doctors.

"We put up banners in all of our pharmacies, totaling 1,289 pharmacies, 565 health clinics, and 70 clinical laboratories," he said.