Editor's note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.
Workers complete the production of garments at a textile facility in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 16. FAISAL RAMADHAN VIA GETTY IMAGES
A labor union leader has warned that massive layoffs may occur in the next three months on account of skyrocketing production costs due to the Middle East conflict, forcing manufacturing companies across Java in Indonesia to downsize or close operations permanently.
Indonesian Trade Union Confederation President Said Iqbal said in a news conference on May 25 that the cost-cutting measures could potentially affect 9,000 workers in 10 companies in Banten, West Java, Central Java and East Java.
Said, who is also the chairman of the Indonesian Labour Party, said the driving factor is the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, which has no certainty about when it will end, causing prices of fuel to surge.
