Sritex Workers to March on Palace Jan 14-15
10,000 workers from Sri Rejeki Iman Textile Tbk, also known as Sritex, are gearing up for a massive protest in Jakarta next week. The workers are set to march on the capital city on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 14-15, 2025. This decision was made during a coordination meeting led by the Sritex Group Workers Union Coordinator, Slamet Kaswanto. The workers plan to finalize their protest plans after a meeting with the Sukoharjo Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Preparations for the Protest
Slamet estimates that around 10,000 Sritex workers will participate in the two-day demonstration. They will depart from Solo, also known as Surakarta, on 200 buses bound for Jakarta on Monday, January 13, 2025. Upon arrival in Jakarta, the workers will gather at the National Monument as the focal point of their protest. Their demands revolve around the continuity of Sritex’s operations and business. The demonstration will target nine institutions, including the Supreme Court, which upheld Sritex’s bankruptcy through a cassation decision.
Challenges Faced by Sritex Workers
The workers are not only focusing on the Supreme Court but also on various ministries, especially those designated by President Prabowo Subianto to rescue Sritex. These ministries include the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, and State-Owned Enterprises Ministry. Additionally, the workers plan to demonstrate in front of the Presidential Palace and the House of Representatives/People’s Consultative Assembly buildings for two days to address their concerns comprehensively.
Government’s Response and Worker Concerns
Slamet expressed his disappointment with the government’s lack of concrete actions following the cassation decision that confirmed Sritex’s bankruptcy status. With import and export permits frozen due to the bankruptcy status, Sritex has had to increase the number of furloughed workers from 2,500 to 3,500, primarily affecting those in the spinning department. The company is struggling to source raw materials, leaving workers with nothing to do and facing potential layoffs in the future.
Minister of Manpower Yassierli acknowledged the workers’ right to protest but encouraged dialogue between the workers, management, and court-appointed curators to find a resolution. He emphasized that Sritex’s issues involve multiple ministries beyond just the Ministry of Manpower. Yassierli plans to hold discussions with Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer and other ministries to address the challenges faced by Sritex comprehensively.
In conclusion, as the Sritex workers prepare for their protest, their demands highlight the urgent need for government intervention to address the company’s bankruptcy status and ensure the well-being of thousands of affected workers. The upcoming demonstrations aim to draw attention to the complex challenges faced by one of Indonesia’s largest textile companies, urging a collaborative effort from various stakeholders to find sustainable solutions for all parties involved.
