JAKARTA - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has officially launched a salary subsidy programme aimed at 15.7 million workers. The subsidy will be realised starting in August until September 2020.
The economic growth, Mr Widodo said, is slowing down. "215 countries are said to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with their economies disrupted. This not only impacts on the little people, but also entrepreneurs across all sectors," he said at a launching event broadcast live on the Presidential Secretariat's official YouTube channel on Thursday (27/8).
Mr Widodo added that the government has launched several other programmes including social assistance, cash aid of Rp 600,000 per month, Village Fund cash aid of Rp 600,000 per month, power subsidy for 450 VA users, basic needs assistance, the Pre-Employment Card scheme, and presidential aid for MSMEs at Rp 2.4 million per person. "The amount is not small," he said.
The salary subsidy is provided to workers registered in the Social Security Administration for Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan). "This is provided to companies that dutifully pay BPJS Ketenagakerjaan fees," Mr Widodo said.
he programme is aimed at exempt workers, exempt teachers, firefighters, hotel staffers, medical personnel, and janitors. "Anyone who actively and dutifully paid BPJS Ketenagakerjaan fees until June [is entitled to the subsidy]. We hope this will help boost their household consumption," Mr Widodo said. (LK/MS)