TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Manpower Ministry facilitated mediation between state-owned gas and oil firm Pertamina’s board of directors and its labor union FSPPB following the strike threat by employees who demanded the dismissal of Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati.

The ministry’s director-general for industrial relations and social security for workers, Indah Anggoro Putri, said the two parties had reached an agreement, including regarding salaries.

“We’ve spent quite a lot of time and energy today, but alhamdulillah it was successful as we’ve come to an agreement,” said Putri in her statement, Tuesday night, December 28.

She explained that Pertamina agreed to adjust employees’ salaries in April 2022 while still taking into account the company's budget and work plan or RKAP. The adjustment was made as there had been no salary hike since 2020. The ministry, she added, would monitor its implementation.

In addition to salary adjustments, both parties agreed to improve the communication and dialogue in a more constructive and productive way. The board of directors, Putri went on, pledged to open the widest possible access to communication with the workers represented by FSPPB and give them the freedom to express their wishes under the collective labor agreement or PKB.

The Manpower Ministry would also facilitate other mediations if there are frictions or differences of opinion between Pertamina and its labor union. This first mediation had been carried out for a week.

Putri further underlined that with the presence of the collective agreement, the labor union would cancel the strike plan.

Read: Pertamina Increases Price of Non-Subsidized 12-KG LPG

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA