Govt Assures Omnibus Law Won't Drop Workers' Allowance

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah assured that the drafts of the omnibus law concerning job creation will not annul the provision on the allowance for workers. 

“[The allowance] will still be paid by entrepreneurs. In principle, the bill concerns about workers’ allowance,” said Ida at State Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday, February 12.

According to her, the new policy will include a new scheme on workers’ allowance and even a scheme on ‘sweetener’ or additional benefit for active workers.

“The ‘sweetener’ is the businesses' obligation, but that’s only valid for huge business. Also, there will be a benefit formula for workers who are laid off. We set a new service for them, [which is a] job-loss insurance,” Ida explained. However, she stopped short of mentioning the detail.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto reportedly would submit the president’s instruction or the bill drafts regarding job creation to the House of Representatives (DPR) on Wednesday, February 12.

Today, the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) staged a demonstration before the DPR building against the new rule since the laborers were not invited to the discussion. Thus, it was feared to set aside workers’ rights.

“If the omnibus law cuts down workers’ welfare, we will reject it strongly,” said the KSPI’s head Andi, urging the House to call in workers for the policy discussion.

DEWI NURITA | BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI