Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesian fuel retailer BP-AKR warned it may be forced to lay off workers if the government fails to resolve a shortage of gasoline that has persisted since late August.
Vanda Laura, President Director of BP-AKR, told lawmakers during a hearing with Commission XII of the House of Representatives on Thursday that the company has already shortened operating hours at its stations due to empty fuel tanks and has cut other costs in an effort to keep operations afloat.
“We are reducing operating hours and other costs, but if there is no solution soon, we may be forced to furlough our employees. This won’t be long if the situation continues,” Vanda said.
The company employs about 650 people across 70 stations nationwide. While BP-AKR has not laid off any staff yet, Vanda cautioned that fuel supplies could run out by the end of October unless replenished.
“We hope there will be a breakthrough soon. We haven’t furloughed workers yet, but it remains a risk,” she added.
Read Also:
Shell Indonesia is facing similar pressure. President Director Ingrid Siburian said only five of the company’s 197 stations are still selling gasoline, with the rest limited to diesel.
“In 197 stations, only five still have gasoline left. That too is almost gone. Right now, our stations are only selling diesel, and we expect even that will run out tomorrow,” said Ingrid Siburian, President Director and Managing Director of Mobility at Shell Indonesia.
Siburian said the shortage has forced Shell to reduce operating hours and adjust employee work schedules. The company employs about 5,300 people across its stations nationwide but has not yet initiated layoffs.
A similar situation has been reported by Vivo Energy Indonesia, which operates 44 stations in the Greater Jakarta area with about 600 employees. The company said only RON 92 gasoline remains available, though supplies are expected to be depleted by mid-October.
(Raidi/Agung)
