Bantaeng, September 11, 2025 – At 1:30 PM WITA, the Bantaeng Mining and Industrial Workers Union (SBIPE) staged a symbolic action by shutting the Bantaeng Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) office. The workers posted a large banner at the front of the main door reading “BANTAENG DPRD OFFICE SHUT.” On the other side, there was also a sign saying “LOOKING FOR BANTAENG DPRD CHAIRMAN” as a harsh criticism of the absence of the council leadership during the public hearing (RDP) held today.
The RDP, scheduled for 10:00 AM WITA, only began at 11:00 AM WITA. However, the number of DPRD members present did not reach a quorum. Worse yet, the President Director of PT Huadi Nickel Alloy Indonesia, Jos Stefan Hideky, who was the key person awaited, was completely absent.
In fact, the forum was a follow-up to the meeting on September 8, 2025, when the DPRD promised to bring all parties who signed the agreement on July 29, 2025. This agreement required full severance payments for workers affected by layoffs due to company efficiency, in accordance with Article 43 paragraph (2) of Government Regulation Number 35 of 2021.
The Head of the Legal, Advocacy, and Mass Campaign Department of SBIPE Bantaeng, Junaedi Hambali, views the absence of PT Huadi and the lack of DPRD members as a form of disrespect towards the workers and the government institution.
“If the DPR cannot even reach a quorum, the outcome is guaranteed to be useless. Moreover, the President Director of PT Huadi is absent, while present here are the former Head of the Manpower Office and the Regional Labor Supervisor of South Sulawesi Province,” he stated.
Junaedi added that PT. Huadi has displayed unethical behavior.
“The DPRD has already sent an official letter, but the company did not attend. Some DPRD members also never appear to support the workers’ struggle. If the Bantaeng DPRD is not serious, we will take this issue to the Indonesian House of Representatives and the relevant ministries. This is tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the Bantaeng DPRD,” he asserted.
Mursalim, a representative of the workers, stated that various actions and negotiations have been pursued, but their demands are still being ignored.
“We hope the DPRD, as the people’s representatives, will convey our aspirations. Please also communicate this to the DPRD Chairman, as we are looking for him. We are suffering. If a body like the DPRD is ignored by the company, what about us workers whose rights are being taken away?” Mursalim explained.
Andi Irvandi Langgara, the former Head of the Bantaeng Manpower Office, who was also invited, refused to provide an official statement without the presence of the company.
“I am here to clarify in the RDP forum, not to discuss. If the main party is not present, we cannot issue an official statement, especially with many media in attendance,” he said.
Similarly, the Regional Labor Supervisor of South Sulawesi, Andi Sukri S.H., stated he is ready to be called back but believes the RDP cannot be held because “the object is absent.”
From the legislative side, DPRD member from the Democratic faction, Herlina Aris, affirmed support for the workers.
“We have always provided full support from the beginning. The Secretariat must immediately confirm why the company and other DPRD members are absent,” she stated.
H. Abd. Karim, SKM., M.Kes., the Chairman of Commission B, also assessed that the absence of the company made this RDP unable to continue, even though the previous tripartite letter had already formed a legal product.
Since the meeting did not yield any decisions, the Head of the Legal, Advocacy, and Mass Campaign Department of SBIPE Bantaeng, Junaedi Hambali, concluded the meeting by stating that the workers would establish an occupation post at the Bantaeng DPRD until all their demands were met. Additionally, SBIPE called on all youth community organizations (OKP) that participated in the action on September 8, 2025, to come together again to urge the DPRD to meet the same demands.
Original article in Bahasa Indonesia: https://www.dialektikamassa.com/2025/09/buruh-kiba-segel-kantor-dprd-bantaeng.html