Fadli Zon Values Minister Of Manpower Regulation Ida Fauziah Regarding JHT Zalim And Strange

JAKARTA - There have been many voices calling for the Regulation of the Minister of Manpower (Permenaker) Number 2 of 2022 concerning Procedures and Payment Requirements for the Old Age Security Program (JHT) to be revoked.

Through the Permenaker the Government stipulates that the full disbursement of JHT funds can only be done after participants reach the age of 56 years.

Member of the House of Representatives from the Gerindra Faction, Fadli Zon, questioned the change in the JHT system. In fact, he continued, in the previous regulation, JHT benefits could be given to participants who resigned and paid in cash after passing the waiting period of 1 month. According to him, the workers of course reject the change, because it is considered burdensome.

"I see, the majority of factions in parliament, the majority of public opinion have also expressed their rejection of the regulation. The regulation is considered to be oppressing the interests of the workers," said Fadli Zon in a press release, Saturday, February 19.

"Because of the large number of people's rejection, I don't think there is any reason for the President to ignore it. Permenaker No. 2 of 2022 should indeed be revoked immediately so as not to cause greater social turmoil," he continued.

Fadli Zon also gave several notes on why the JHT regulation should be repealed immediately: First, the philosophy of JHT is actually savings, namely so that workers still have savings when they no longer work, or no longer receive wages. So, in theory, when a person no longer receives wages, then he should be allowed to withdraw his savings.

"Well, Permenaker No. 2 of 2022 has unilaterally forced the workers to postpone the disbursement of these savings until they reach the age of 56 years. Whereas, on the other hand, the Government itself cannot guarantee that workers can continue to work and receive wages, or will not lose their jobs, until they reach that age. This is cruel. What if workers are laid off at the age of 35, 40, or 45 years old, and can no longer enter the job market in the formal sector, do they have to wait 21 years, 16 years, or 11 years later to withdraw the money themselves? he said.

Second, continued Fadli Zon, Article 2 of the Minister of Manpower No. 2 of 2022 does provide the option of disbursing JHT before the age of 56, but on the condition that the worker experiences permanent total disability or dies.

“This JHT is “social insurance” for people who have lost their jobs and income, not life insurance or work accidents. Does the worker have to be disabled first, or die first just to withdraw his savings? This rule, apart from being unjust, is also strange,” he added.

“Thirdly, this policy was formulated by the Government without prior public consultation with the relevant 'stakeholders', especially the workers and Commission IX of the DPR RI. The formulation process alone is not 'fair' and not open, how can the contents be 'fair' if that is the case,” he concluded.