Sritex Workers Face Challenges with Inactive BPJS Account
In a small town in Solo, Central Java, the employees of PT Sritex Isman Tbk, also known as Sritex, are grappling with the consequences of their company’s inactive BPJS account. The management of Sritex made the decision to deactivate the account, leaving 1,291 workers from PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk without access to their Jaminan Kehilangan Pekerjaan (JKP). Denny Ardiansyah, a member of the Sritex Curator Team, revealed that the BPJS account was deactivated from the time Sritex was declared bankrupt on October 21, 2024, until February 26, 2025.
Denny expressed his concerns in a written statement, stating that during the period from October 21, 2024, to February 26, 2025, 1,291 employees of PT Sri Rejeki Isman voluntarily resigned and had their BPJS Ketenagakerjaan accounts deactivated by Sritex management. This led to the unfortunate outcome of these employees losing their JKP entitlements.
The deactivation of the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan accounts has left the Sritex workers unaware of how to register their severance payment claims with the curator team. Denny mentioned that the curator team has informed the head of the workers’ union at PT Sritex, Mr. Widodo, to help guide the resigning employees in submitting their claims to the curator team.
Furthermore, Denny shed light on the reasons behind the curators’ decision to terminate the employment of the Sritex workers. He disclosed that on February 26, 2025, just two days before Sritex was declared insolvent, the curator team laid off employees from Sritex and its three subsidiary companies. The breakdown of the layoffs included 8,504 employees from PT Sritex, 961 employees from PT Primayudha Mandirijaya, 40 employees from PT Sinar Pantja Djaja, and 104 employees from PT Bitratex Industries.
Denny explained that there were several considerations that influenced the curator team’s decision to terminate the employment of the workers. One of the primary reasons cited was the high number of employees resigning without clarity, resulting in the loss of their rights as preferred creditors in the bankruptcy proceedings. Additionally, Sritex was facing continuous financial losses, making it impossible for the company to pay its employees’ holiday bonuses if the layoffs were delayed beyond February.
“If the layoffs were postponed until March, employees would face even more uncertainty regarding their income and their JHT benefits would only be disbursed in April. This would lead to severe socio-economic challenges for the employees,” Denny emphasized.
Challenges Faced by Sritex Workers
The deactivation of the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan accounts has not only impacted the financial security of the Sritex workers but has also created a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability among them. Without access to essential benefits like the JKP, these employees are left in a precarious position, unsure of how to navigate the complexities of their severance claims.
Financial Struggles of Sritex
The financial struggles of Sritex have been a recurring issue, leading to the company’s insolvency and subsequent layoffs. The inability to meet its financial obligations, including the payment of employee benefits like the THR, has placed immense pressure on both the company and its workforce. As a result, the curator team had to make the difficult decision to terminate the employment of thousands of workers, further exacerbating the economic hardships faced by the employees.
The challenges faced by the Sritex workers underscore the importance of financial planning and stability in the workplace. As companies navigate financial difficulties, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of employees and ensure that their rights and entitlements are protected throughout the process. The impact of decisions made at the management level extends far beyond the boardroom, affecting the lives and livelihoods of countless individuals who rely on these companies for their financial security and stability.
