Presidential special advisor for labor and workers' welfare Said Iqbal said he believes the actual number of workers affected by layoffs is higher than the official figures reported by the Manpower Ministry.
Labor union members hold banners and wave posters on May 1, 2025, during a Labor Day rally in Jakarta. (AFP/Azwar Ipank)
Indonesia recorded 32,389 layoffs in the first half of this year, with nearly one-fifth of the job losses concentrated in West Java, according to the Manpower Ministry.Data from the ministry's Satu Data Kemnaker platform, published on Monday, showed that West Java accounted for 6,727 layoffs, 20.77 percent of the national total between January and June.
Banten recorded the second-highest number of layoffs at 3,782 workers, followed by East Java with 2,851.
The ministry noted that the figures only cover workers classified as participants in the Job Loss Insurance (JKP) program. Employees who resigned voluntarily, retired, became permanently disabled or died are excluded from the tally under Government Regulation No. 6/2025 and Manpower Ministerial Regulation No. 2/2025 governing the program.
