BP Tapera: In Order For Mutual Cooperation, Foreigners Are Also Required To Participate In The Tapera Program

Illustration. (Photo: Ministry of PUPR)

JAKARTA - The Public Housing Savings Management Agency (BP Tapera) emphasized that the Tapera program does not only apply to Indonesian citizen workers (WNI). However, also for foreign citizens (WNA) who work in the country in accordance with Government Regulation Number 25/2020.

BP Tapera commissioner Adi Setianto said that those who register foreigners to join the Tapera program are the employers or the company where they work. However, he stressed, this is mandatory for workers with a minimum working time of six months.

"Regarding foreigners, if they work for 6 months it is mandatory. Because of mutual cooperation. Working here, earning income here, so join together," he said, in a video conference with journalists, Friday, June 5.

Adi said that the collection of contributions in the Tapera program uses the principle of mutual cooperation. In this case, all workers, including foreigners, help each other for workers in the low-income category of society (MBR) or those who do not have a home to have shelter.

Furthermore, Adi explained, BP Tapera will only collect contributions for all private workers in the next seven years. Because, currently the low-cost housing program with low interest is first focused on civil servants (PNS).

Foreign Funds Will Be Refunded

Regarding foreigners who take part in the Tapera program, Adi said, they can take back the funds that have been withdrawn by BP Tapera when the person concerned has expired his work contract in Indonesia and returned to his home country.

"Everything is recorded. Starting from the registration, we give the in line number from the machine, we record the results of the collection, then after three years he comes home - say the worker from Japan - can see how much savings he has. . This is the principle of mutual cooperation. He has his house there (country of origin), "explained Adi.

The compulsory contribution system for foreigners, said Adi, is contained in the Law regarding the principle of mutual cooperation. In addition, the funds obtained by BP Tapera from foreigners can be used to help low-income people (MBR) to have housing.

"So the money collected from foreign workers can be used by BP Tapera to provide financing in this case MBR. So I think the mutual cooperation is like that," he said.

As is known, President Joko Widodo issued Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2020 concerning the Implementation of Public Housing Savings (Tapera). In this regulation, all workers are required to take part in the Tapera program. However, only those with a maximum income of IDR 8 million can apply for a house purchase.

BP Tapera will start collecting contributions in 2021. Tapera contributions are collected at 3 percent of total wages, with the details of 0.5 percent borne by the employer and 2.5 percent borne by workers who are deducted from their wages. Especially for independent participants, the fees are paid by themselves.

Participation in BP Tapera will end if the worker has retired, namely the age of 58 years. Later, after retiring, participants can get their savings and proceeds from development funds that are placed in bank deposits, government debt securities, and other investments.