LBH Pers Alleges CNN Indonesia Violated Labor Laws with Unilateral Wage Cuts

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ahmad Fathanah Haris, attorney for the CNN Indonesia Workers' Solidarity (SPCI), explained that employees faced layoffs after addressing the unilateral wage cuts by the media company.

“Without mutual agreement, cutting salaries unilaterally is a violation of labor laws,” said Ahmad during a discussion at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and LBH Jakarta offices on September 3, 2024.

Following the wage cuts, SPCI, which officially registered with the South Jakarta Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy Sub-department on August 27, 2024, began advocating for employee rights. However, CNN responded by terminating the employment of 14 employees, including several SPCI members.

“These layoffs were not conducted in accordance with legal procedures,” Ahmad said.

He explained that layoffs are legally valid only under two conditions: a joint agreement or a court decision. “Terminations outside of these contexts are considered unilateral and unlawful,” he emphasized.

Taufiqurrohman, the General Chairperson of SPCI, echoed Ahmad's claims, stating that the company's actions violated employee rights. He noted that 201 workers refused the wage cuts.

Revolusi Riza Zulverdi, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of CNN Indonesia TV, countered these allegations, asserting that the layoffs were not sudden and were part of an ongoing organizational restructuring process. 

“The layoff process has been running since last year,” he told Tempo on Tuesday, September 3. He claimed that the dismissed employees received severance pay in accordance with the law.

ANDI ADAM FATURAHMAN

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