TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi claimed to have partnered with nine companies willing to hire workers affected by the mass layoffs at PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk, or Sritex. According to him, these companies require former workers to be under 45 years old.

"We have held meetings with company HR departments and the manpower office to facilitate their employment. The condition is that they must be under 45 years old," Luthfi said on Monday, March 3.

However, he did not disclose the names of the nine companies, mentioning only that they operate in the garment, footwear, and tobacco industries.

Furthermore, he stated that the Central Java Manpower and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans) had coordinated with the Social Security Agency for Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) and the Sukoharjo Regency Government.

"We hope that the Old Age Security (JHT) and severance payments can be disbursed before Eid," Luthfi said.

Additionally, for former Sritex employees interested in becoming entrepreneurs, the Central Java Provincial Government (Pemprov) will provide support. They will facilitate training programs at the Central Java Job Training Center (BLK).

In a separate occasion, Luthfi said the number of companies ready to absorb former Sritex workers had now increased to 22. He mentioned that one of them is a tobacco product manufacturer in Kudus Regency, which is prepared to recruit workers affected by Sritex's official closure on Saturday, March 1.

"One of them just whispered to me that they are ready to take in 2,000 people," said the former Central Java Police Chief on Wednesday, March 5.

He identified the Kudus-based tobacco company as PT Djarum. However, he clarified that the Central Java Provincial Government's role is only to facilitate infrastructure support during the recruitment process.

"PT Djarum has committed to hiring 2,000 workers. Our role as the provincial government is only to assist in preparing infrastructure and accelerating any necessary processes," Luthfi said during a working visit to PT Djarum Oasis in Kudus, Central Java, on Wednesday, March 5, as quoted from Antara.

To accommodate over 10,000 former Sritex workers affected by the layoffs, Luthfi emphasized the need for support from multiple parties and a structured process.

"For instance, we need to categorize worker preferences and analyze opportunities, especially for those residing outside Sukoharjo. Collaboration between the central government, provinces, and regencies/cities is essential. As regional administrators, it is our duty to prepare and provide solutions," he said.

Jamal Abdun Nashr and Imam Hamdi contributed to the article.

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