Bandung – West Java recorded the highest number of layoffs (PHK) in Indonesia from January to June 2026. A total of 6,727 workers lost their jobs, accounting for approximately 20.8 percent of the national total of 32,389 layoffs. In other words, one out of every five laid-off workers in Indonesia came from West Java.

 

The high layoff figures drew sharp criticism from Zaini Shofari, a member of Commission V of the West Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). According to him, the large amount of investment flowing into West Java should go hand in hand with increased labor absorption, particularly for local residents.

 

"It should be directly proportional. If there is investment, it means labor absorption grows, meaning employment increases, right? But apparently, that is not the case," Zaini said on Thursday (Aug 6, 2026).

 

He assessed that this issue highlights an suboptimal synergy between incoming investment and the readiness of the workforce in West Java. Therefore, the Manpower Office (Dinas Tenaga Kerja) needs to play a more active role in preparing human resources (HR) that align with industry needs.

 

"That means one of the pillars lies with the Manpower Office to develop the local workforce, for example. The labor absorption must be prepared. There should be synergy between investment in West Java and how that workforce is absorbed," he said.

 

Zaini cited the condition in the Subang industrial area as an example. According to him, many hired workers still come from outside West Java, even though the investment is located within the province.

 

"Take Subang recently; many people from outside West Java were hired there. It should be linear so that there is synergy between investments in West Java, prepared beforehand by the central government and continuous coordination with the provincial government, allowing the needs of companies to be met by local West Java workers," he explained.

 

He clarified that investment decisions have largely been determined by the central government. As a result, local governments often lack sufficient time to prepare a workforce that matches the requirements of operating companies.

 

"What happens is that investment decisions are made at the central level, and suddenly hundreds of hectares are allocated for a company. While the company is ready to offer jobs, local communities visited by these projects cannot yet access or enter that sphere," he said.

 

Zaini also urged companies investing in West Java to pay greater attention to hiring from surrounding areas. While it should not be absolute, he believes local residents still deserve priority.

 

"Since the company is located in the area, naturally, that is how it should be," he added.

 

When asked about the need for regulations requiring companies to employ West Java residents, Zaini noted that such a policy could be considered. However, he emphasized that regulations must still take the specific needs of companies into account.

 

"There should be something like that, though it doesn't have to be absolute. However, the surrounding community must be considered after all, that is partly why companies have CSR: to empower and support local residents," he concluded.

 

[Source]