Firms To Watch: Labour and employment

Boutique firm Kemalsjah & Associates standouts for its expertise in contentious employment and industrial relations matters.

Labour and employment in Indonesia

ABNR Counsellors at Law

ABNR Counsellors at Law provides an end-to-end service to its roster of clients and advises on the full spectrum of employment matters, from employment contracts, employment of expatriates and termination policies to employee benefits and entitlement, as well as regulatory and compliance issues. Other key areas of expertise include representing employers during negotiations with employees and labour unions, in relation to industrial disputes and strikes, in addition to proposed terminations. Nafis Adwani, who acts for domestic and multinational clients on employment contracts, immigration matters, HR policies, outsourcing, redundancy and TUPE issues, jointly leads the practice alongside Indra Setiawan, who advises on contentious manpower mandates.

Practice head(s):

Nafis Adwani; Indra Setiawan

Other key lawyers:

Ridzky Amin; Nafis Adwani; Indra Setiawan

Key clients

SAAB

Hyundai

Merck & Co Inc.

ByteDance

Tencent

Novartis

Bayer

Cabot

Daimler AG

Volvo

BAT

TEVA Pharmaceuticals

KMK Global Sports

Assegaf Hamzah & Partners

Assegaf Hamzah & Partners has demonstrable experience advising on non-contentious employment matters and is well-placed to collaborate with the firm’s litigation team to handle employment disputes. Experienced litigator Ahmad Maulana leads the practice and represents public and private corporations in manpower-related investigations, with expertise across the full range of employment disputes. Muhamad Kamal Fikri, who handles contentious employment matters, is another key figure in the team. Key clients include PT Space Data Center, PT APL Logistics and Veritas Technologies, to name a few.

Practice head(s):

Ahmad Maulana

Other key lawyers:

Muhamad Kamal Fikri

Key clients

PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero)

PT General Motors Indonesia

PT BMW Indonesia

PT Vale Indonesia Tbk.

Asian Development Bank

AICE Group

British Standards Institution

Imerys Asia Pacific Group

PT Indo Premier Sekuritas

PT CGS-CIMB Sekuritas

PT Lintec Indonesia

PT APL Logistics

PT Space Data Centre

Veritas Technologies (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Tyco Electronics Pte. Ltd

PT Clariant Indonesia

PT Clariant Plastics and Coatings Indonesia

Work highlights

  • Representing a state-owned enterprise company in a labour dispute with its labour union.
  • Representing an investment management company in a dispute with ex-director.
  • Assisted a global company in adjusting its termination of employment strategy based on the revisions to the Indonesian labour law under the Omnibus Law.

Hadiputranto, Hadinoto & Partners, a member firm of Baker McKenzie

Hadiputranto, Hadinoto & Partners, a member firm of Baker McKenzie offers a full-service practice, with vast experience in both employment litigation and non-contentious advisory matters. Housing a team of specialist practitioners, the practice assists clients across the mining, oil and gas, TMT, manufacturing, trading, financial services and pharmaceutical sectors in high-end employment disputes, from negotiations to settlements. As a member firm of Baker McKenzie, the team is well-placed to provide ‘articulate and digestible’ advice on cross-jurisdictional mandates, in collaboration with offices worldwide. Following the recent retirement of Timur Sukirno, Andi Kadir jointly leads the team alongside Alvira Wahjosoedibjo, who focuses on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious labour and employment matters, from HR policies to employment termination, as well as workforce downsizing and reorganisation.

Practice head(s):

Andi Kadir; Alvira Wahjosoedibjo

Other key lawyers:

Rinaldo Aditya

Testimonials

‘HHP Law has been great to work with. They have provided us with practical guidance on tricky employment law issues in Indonesia.’

‘The advice provided by HPP Law is articulate and digestible. The true gist of our issues are answered in a manner which is useful to us with minimal back and forth in terms of clarification.’

Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung in association with Herbert Smith Freehills

The ‘dedicated, committed and knowledgeable’ practice at Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung in association with Herbert Smith Freehills advises on a broad range of front-end matters, from employment contracts to employment litigation, in addition to preventative advice encompassing on-site training for managers and staff on internal employment regulations and whistle-blower policies. On account of its association with Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, the team is well-placed to collaborate with the firm’s offices globally on cross-border mandates, in addition to working with the M&A practice in handling the employment aspects of transactions. Santi Darmawan, who handles employment advisory work, solely leads the team following the departure of Narendra Adiyasa to Widyawan & Partners in August 2022. David Siagian, ‘who provides detailed and solid advice, whilst maintaining a commercial lens’, is another key contact in the team.

Practice head(s):

Santi Darmawan

Other key lawyers:

David Siagian

Testimonials

‘HBT is an amazing firm to work with. Our collaboration focuses on pro bono services, and they have been a wonderful partner. The team are dedicated, committed and knowledgeable.’

‘David Siagian has provided detailed and solid advice, whilst maintaining a commercial lens where requested. Turnaround times are usually reasonable.’

‘I am of the view that expertise in employment law in the Indonesian market is quite rare. Rare in the sense that the expertise with an international standard and commercial approach and HBT has this expertise.’

‘It is easy to find an Indonesian law firm with an employment practice group in it, but it is not easy to find an Indonesian firm that has the ability to advise clients by way of taking into account the commercial needs but ensuring legal compliance as well.’

‘David Siagian is excellent in his work. The quality of the product they produce is very good and commercially minded in the sense that they consider not only the legal compliance part but also the reality of doing business in Indonesia.’

‘Always responsive and practical with their advice.’

Key clients

Morgan Stanley

New Zealand Embassy

Hutchison Ports Indonesia, PT

Atalian

ENGIE

Work highlights

  • Represented PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) in a US$21 million tort claim filed by a Container Labour Union against JICT and others at Jakarta District and on appeal to Jakarta High Court over the non-extension of a sub-contract.

Makarim & Taira S.

Housing a strong employment practice, Makarim & Taira S. advises on a broad range of matters concerning restructuring plans, mass termination strategies and termination disputes, as well as reviewing company regulations. The cross-jurisdictional capability of the team is supplemented by its association Drew & Napier LLC in Singapore and Shearn Delamore & Co in Malaysia. ‘Business-orientedLia Alizia leads the practice and focuses on employment litigation, in addition to anti-bribery and anti-corruption issues. Other key members of the group include Rahayu Ningsih Hoed and Harris Toengkagie, who was promoted to partner in February 2022.

Practice head(s):

Lia Alizia

Other key lawyers:

Rahayu Ningsih Hoed; Harris Toengkagie

Testimonials

‘They understand the business needs and are capable of providing business-oriented solutions.’

‘Lia Alizia is very business-oriented.’

‘Provided comprehensive legal advice.’

Key clients

PT ABC President Indonesia

Arnott’s Biscuits Ltd.

PT Autoliv Indonesia

PT Avient Colorants Indonesia (Avient Corporation)

Bird & Bird

Clyde & Co.

CMS Holborn Asia

Cogencis

DLA Piper

Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA / PT Draeger Medical Indonesia / PT Draegerindo Jaya

Drew & Napier

PT Gold Coin Specialties

Hibiya Nakata

Jackson Lewis P.C.

King & Spalding LLP

KONE

LG Electronics Inc

London Stock Exchange Group / Refinitiv Limited

Nathan Associates

Pinsent Masons LLP

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

PT Sony Indonesia

Soemadipradja & Taher

Soemadipradja & Taher assists foreign entities with issues arising from the employment of expatriates in Indonesia and the termination of employees. On the advisory side, the team’s work includes regulatory compliance, immigration and work permit issues, statutory welfare and benefits, pensions, staff severance and retrenchment management. The practice frequently collaborates with the firm’s disputes team to handle wrongful dismissals, enforcing restrictive covenants, disciplinary proceedings, breach of fiduciary duties and white-collar offences. Team leader Retno Muljosantoso advises on the employment aspects of M&A transactions, while senior associate Dimas Koencoro Noegroho is praised for his ‘high integrity’ and foreign counsel Robert Reid is commended as a ‘highly experienced professional in the field’. Rahmat Soemadipradja remains a key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Retno Muljosantoso

Other key lawyers:

Dimas Koencoro Noegroho; Anindita Hapsari; Robert Reid; Rahmat Soemadipradja

Testimonials

‘The team can be relied upon to act with integrity. They were unafraid to ask tough questions and to challenge our perspectives.’

‘The people whom we work with in Soemadipradja & Taher have always been helpful in attending to our questions.’

‘Dimas Koencoro Noegroho is reliable, knowledgeable, and a person of high integrity. He is able to instill a sense of trust in people, even in high-tension situations.’

‘Robert Reid is straight-forward, a highly experienced professional in the field and very approachable person to engage with.’

Key clients

PT Kewpie Indonesia

Schneider Electric Industries SAS

PT Beiersdorf Indonesia

FWD Group Management Holdings Limited

Google

Coca-Cola European Partners plc

Croda International

PT Suzuki Indomobil Motor

Credit Suisse AG, Singapore Branch

ESR Cayman Ltd

PT Major Drilling Indonesia

Rockwell Automation Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd

PT Newmont Pacific Nusantara

Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd

Volaris Group, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Assisted PT Kewpie Indonesia in providing a comprehensive response to employment related queries, including various aspects of Indonesian employment law and regulations and preparing a response to LBH SNK (counterparties).
  • Advising Schneider Electric Industries SAS on a proposed transaction under Indonesian employment law and a review of relevant agreements between the client and employees.
  • Assisted PT Beiersdorf Indonesia in an employment matter relating to a proposed separation of one employee of the client by entering into a Mutual Separation Agreement (MSA).

Sudjono & Rekan Law Offices

Boutique firm Sudjono & Rekan Law Offices advises domestic and foreign clients on a broad range of employment issues, with experience across the oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, consumer goods, insurance, logistics, transportation and tourism, and tobacco. The team also has demonstrable capability in contentious employment matters, as well as representing clients in negotiations with labour unions. Practice leader and managing partner Hernoko Wibowo advises on employment agreements and collective labour agreements, in addition to representing clients in employment disputes.

Practice head(s):

Hernoko Wibowo

Testimonials

‘They work in a professional manner and are always on schedule.’

‘What stands out about the team is good communication, explaining all issues, and providing options of solutions.’

‘The team has an ability to understand client business processes, in short, making them effectively catch the client up on the situation.’

‘Good collaboration and cooperation.’

‘Reliable, speed of process and prompt response.’

‘This law firm understands the manpower problem in the manufacturing industry well and knows how to handle it if there is a problem. They also give fast responses to our request if we really need their support.’

‘The leader of this firm has charming personality. He can adapt well with many personality, warm and make us feel convenience when talking with him.’

Key clients

PT Toyota Astra-Motor

PT Prime Consultancy

Viega Holdings Gmbh & Co. Kg

PT Anugrah Pharmindo Lestari (member of Zuelig Pharma Holdings – Singapore)

PT Mitsubishi Electric Automotive Indonesia

PT Adi Sarana Armada Tbk

PT Batuta Chemical Industrial Park

PT Hero Makmur Primatama

PT Dsv Transport Indonesia

PT Honda Prospect Motor

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

DHL Logistics (Pt. Birotika Semesta)

PT Indoporlen Refractories

Altilium Group Ltd.

PT Internusa Keramik Alamrasri

PT Intikeramik Alamasri Industri Tbk

Work highlights

  • Advised PT Toyota Astra-Motor on various aspects in relation to the employment and industrial industry.
  • Advised PT Prime Consultancy on the termination of the employees.

Hogan Lovells in association with Dewi Negara Fachri & Partners

Hogan Lovells in association with Dewi Negara Fachri & Partners acts on contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including day-to-day business issues, in addition workforce redundancies. The team also advises on corporate governance mandates, HR training and enforcing internal employment policies, as well as labour union strikes and community demonstrations. Practice leader Chalid Heyder focuses on matters concerning crisis management, including disciplinary actions and remediation measures, and is closely supported by associate Teguh Darmawan, who is praised as ‘pragmatic yet well-rounded in navigating through the complex employment environment’.

Practice head(s):

Chalid Heyder

Other key lawyers:

Teguh Darmawan

Testimonials

‘Teguh Darmawan is very pragmatic yet well-rounded in navigating through the complex employment environment and regulatory requirements so as to ensuring all objectives are met without leaving any blind spots unattended.’

SSEK Law Firm

Praised for delivering ‘excellent advisory services to clients’, SSEK Law Firm advises on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, from employee contracts and personal protection issues to litigious mandates, namely employment terminations. Furthermore, the team frequently collaborates with the firm’s corporate practice to handle the employment aspects of high-value M&A transactions. Syahdan Z. Aziz jointly leads the practice alongside Rusmaini Lenggogeni, while senior associate Dicky Tanjung acts for clients across the energy and natural resources, and manufacturing sectors on employment termination matters.

Practice head(s):

Syahdan Z. Aziz; Rusmaini Lenggogeni

Other key lawyers:

Dicky Tanjung; Indrawan Dwi Yuriutomo

Testimonials

‘Indonesia employment law is intricate but the employment team in SSEK simplifies the law and delivers excellent advisory services to clients.’

‘Syahdan Aziz is very friendly and approachable but at the same time delivers on the work with sound and practical advice.’

Key clients

Procter & Gamble

Yamaha Motor

General Motors

Nissan Motor Co.

FedEx

Kohler Group

Grab Holdings Inc.

Work highlights

  • Successfully defended an Indonesian joint venture company all the way to the Supreme Court against a lawsuit filed by a former employee over termination benefits.
  • Assists Kohler Group with their corporate, commercial, regulatory and employment law affairs in Indonesia.
  • Assisted McDermott, the international engineering, procurement, construction, and installation company, in its restructuring of several companies in Indonesia, with our work including labor and employment matters related to the restructuring.

Widyawan & Partners

Widyawan & Partners acts for clients on the employment aspects of share sales and acquisitions, including employment contracts, transfer processes and employment warranties. On account of its association with Linklaters, the team is well-placed to collaborate with offices in Asia on cross-border mandates. Practice leader Yolanda Hutapea advises clients across the banking and financial services, retail, telecoms, energy and broadcasting sectors on the employment aspects of transactions, while Narendra Adiyasa joined the firm from Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung in association with Herbert Smith Freehills in August 2022 and has demonstrable experience in employment disputes.

Practice head(s):

Yolanda Hutapea

Other key lawyers:

Narendra Adiyasa

Key clients

Citi Indonesia

ByteDance

Work highlights

  • Advising ByteDance on various Indonesian employment-related matters in relation to its operation in Indonesia, including preparing template employment agreement.
  • Advising Citi Indonesia in relation to the sale of its consumer banking business in Indonesia to PT Bank UOB Indonesia, including preparing set of documents for employee transfer, e.g. termination agreement, notice of termination and communications with employees.

Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners – Dentons HPRP

With demonstrable experience across the banking, healthcare and consumer goods sectors, Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners – Dentons HPRP’ employment practice sits within the firm’s litigation team and is well-placed to advise on employment disputes, in addition to acting for corporate clients on the employment aspects of M&A deals. On account of its association with Dentons, the team has the capability to assist on cross-border transactions alongside other offices worldwide. Linna Simamora is noted for her employment litigation and matters concerning industrial relations, while commercial litigator Gading Sanyjaya is also a key name to note for employment disputes. Simamora and Sanyjaya collectively lead the practice alongside Sartono, Danny Bonar Sinaga and Timothy Inkiriwang.

Practice head(s):

Sartono; Linna Simamora; Danny Sinaga; Gading Sanyjaya; Timothy Inkiriwang

Key clients

Holland American Line – Holland American Group

UMBRA – Strategic Legal Solutions

UMBRA – Strategic Legal Solutions acts for clients on regulatory compliance matters, in addition to employment disputes and the employment aspects of M&As and restructuring transactions. The team also advises on mandates concerning compensation and benefits, terminations, severance and entitlements, as well as regulations and manpower issues. Liyanto Wijaya leads the practice alongside Melati Siregar, who advises clients on labour and industrial relations litigation, and Poppy Cut Rahmasuci, who handles the employment aspects of transactions and compliance matters.

Practice head(s):

Liyanto Wijaya; Melati Siregar; Poppy Cut Rahmasuci

Key clients

PT Nonghyup Korindo Sekuritas Indonesia

Lee Yin Group

Jipyong

Work highlights

  • Represented PT Mulia Cemerlang Abadi Multi Industry in an employment dispute
  • Prepared standard employment agreements for Mintos to be used for setting out the rights and compensation given to its directors.

Walalangi & Partners in association with Nishimura & Asahi

Walalangi & Partners in association with Nishimura & Asahi’s workload includes termination and severance issues, whistleblowing claims, disciplinary and grievance matters, advisory work concerning visa requirements, in addition to the employment aspects of M&As and restructuring transactions. Luky Walalangi leads the team and is supported by associate Rainer Faustine Jonathan, who advises on crisis management mandates and employment termination issues.

Practice head(s):

Luky Walalangi

Other key lawyers:

Rainer Faustine Jonathan

Key clients

Cool Japan Fund

DeClout

Denso Corporation

Dhost Telekomunikasi Nusantara, PT

Diamond Development Indonesia, PT

Essex Bio – Technology Limited

Family Mart Co., Ltd.

GS Yuasa Corporation

Haseko Corporation

Hitachi Transport System, Ltd.

Hokkan Holdings Corporation NoIdemitsu Kosan, Co., Ltd.

INPEX NoItochu Corporation

Junhe Law Office

Kobelco Group

List Holdings Singapore Pte., Ltd.

Lotte Co., Ltd.

Macallan Capital

Marubeni Corporation

Mitbana Corporation

Mitbana Jurong Pte., Ltd.

Mitsubishi Corporation

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Energy Trading Singapore

Mitsui Indonesia, PT

Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

MUFG Bank

Nippon Steel Corporation

Orient Corp.

Osaka Steel Corporation

Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.

PING AN

Resona Bank, Japan

Resona Indonesia Finance, PT

Roblox

Saint-Gobain Indonesia subsidiaries

Secom Co., Ltd.

Showa Denko

Showa Leasing Co., Ltd.

SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.

Squire Patton Boggs Singapore LLP

TIS Inc.

Tokyo Gas Corporation

Tokyo Tatemono

Toyota Tsusho Corporation

TREC, PT

TTLR, PT

Yamaha Motor, Co., Ltd.

Yamaha Music Indonesia, PT