Businesses fear new layoff task force

Populist leader: Prabowo (centre) throws his hat to the crowd during a May Day rally in Jakarta. Industry bodies are concerned the new task force will scare businesses away from expanding. — AP

JAKARTA: Businesses are wary that President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to form a special task force on layoffs could lead to the criminalisation of employers rather than preventing mass job cuts.

The Indonesian Textile Association (API) insists that the task force, meant to resolve labour disputes and reduce terminations, must not stray from its preventive mission.