JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM – The Indonesian Labor Union Confederation (KPBI) has urged the government to revoke the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. 17 of 2017.

According to the Chairman of KPBI Ilhamsyah, the regulation arised without considering the voice of the labor class in the pulp and paper sector, that resulted in mass layoffs threaten without anticipation from policymakers.

"Since October 18, 2017, the government has begun a Minister Regulation on Industrial Timber Plantation Development, which prevents the company from continuing production in some of its concession sites, as the government's own concessions are on peatland," said Ilhamsyah, Monday (10/23/2017), in a written statement.

Ilhamsyah further said that the labors understand the will of the government to restore peat and improve the image of the country in the international community. However, there are social impacts arising from the regulation.

"KPBI sees that environmental issues can be resolved in stages rather than in a hurry and are vulnerable to social problems. The government can take firm action against companies that are managing outside concessions and not issuing new licenses on peatland," he added.

KPBI assessed this could affect on the social, because the minister's regulation is less consider the labor vote in the preparation where there is no mature plan for social impact management.