DIGIVESTASI - Workers of PT Sampangan Duta Panca Sakti Tekstil (Dupantex) take turns guarding the factory on Jalan Raya Tirto, Pekalongan Regency, amid uncertainty over severance payments after the factory closed. Dupantex has ceased operations since June 6, 2024, but hundreds of workers have yet to receive certainty regarding their promised wages and severance pay.

Chairman of the Dupantex National Workers Union (SPN), Rafi'i, stated that the total funds promised to 659 SPN members reached IDR 30.4 billion, including delayed wages, overtime, holiday allowances (THR), and severance pay. “Based on the collective agreement, the deadline for payment of delayed wages is October 10, 2024, but until now there has been no sign of payment,” said Rafi'i, Thursday (19/9/2024).

The former workers voluntarily guarded the company's assets, which are now involved in a legal dispute. The Debt Payment Obligation Delay (PKPU) lawsuit against Dupantex has been filed by the company's partners, such as PT Euro Chem Tex and PT Multikimia Inti Pelangi, with case number 19/Pdt.Sus-PKPU/2024/PN Niaga Semarang.

Dupantex currently has a temporary PKPU status, and a new Assembly Meeting will be held on October 9, 2024. Rafi'i added that his party is preparing evidence and data for the trial and looking for advocates to face the PKPU lawsuit.

Apart from Dupantex, a wave of layoffs also occurred in other companies in Central Java. Workers of PT Pandanarum Kenanga Textile (Panamtex) in Pekalongan Regency have also not received wages and severance pay. Panamtex was sued for bankruptcy on July 12, 2024, and Chief Judge Partogi Hasiholan Sitorus granted the bankruptcy lawsuit on September 12, 2024 with case number 10/Pdt.Sus-Bankruptcy/2024/PN Niaga Semarang.