Jokowi Summons Manpower Minister; Controversial JHT Changes to Be Revised

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah in a written statement on Tuesday finally addressed the series of criticisms aimed at the changes made for the old age benefit (JHT) program that will only allow fund withdrawals at the age of 56. The minister assures that this will be revised after she was summoned by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. 

“Myself and the Economic Affairs Coordinating Minister have met with the President where he instructed the JHT regulations to be simplified,” she wrote on February 22. 

Fauziyah acknowledged that the changes made on the withdrawal requirement under the Manpower Minister’s Regulation No.2/2022 had sparked criticism from workers. Despite not detailing about which part of the regulation will be revised, she assures that the JHT will be beneficial for workers who are affected by layoffs amidst the pandemic.

“The President really took notice about it affecting workers or laborers and asked us to mitigate it and accommodate those who are affected by the pandemic,” said Ida Fauziyah. 

She said the President asked her to simplify the claim process of the benefits that would support a stable employment climate. "The President also asked all of us, be it the government, businessmen, as well as fellow workers or laborers, to jointly create a conducive employment climate, so as to encourage national competitiveness.”

Both Minister Fauziyah and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto were summoned by the President on Monday morning of February 21. 

Read: JHT; Aspek Indonesia Asks Manpower Minister to Stop Forming Misleading Opinions

ARRIJAL RACHMAN