PPP Calls The Government Always Thinks About Workers And Entrepreneurs About UMP

JAKARTA - Chairman of the DPP United Development Party (PPP) Lena Maryana Mukti believes that the government always thinks about the fate of workers and employers in deciding the provincial minimum wage (UMP) 2021.

"I believe that the state will not neglect the workers and will always think about the fate of the employers. The government is looking after that," said Lena.

This was conveyed in response to the Minister of Manpower's Circular (Menaker) which regulates the stipulation of the 2021 UMP.

In SE Menaker Number 11 / HK04 / X / 2020 concerning Determination of Minimum Wages in 2021 During the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was stated that the governor was asked to adjust the stipulation of the UMP value in 2021 equal to the value of UMP 2020. This means that there will be no increase in UMP next year.

The reason for the absence of an increase in the UMP is that the national economy has declined as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as seen in the second quarter's economic growth of minus 5.32 percent.

A survey of the impact of COVID-19 on business actors conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), as many as 82.85 percent of companies tended to experience a decrease in income, 53.17 percent of medium and large businesses, and 62.21 percent of micro and small businesses facing financial constraints related to employees and operational.

Lena admits that the government is in a dilemma in deciding the provincial minimum wage (UMP) in 2021, because on the one hand the government is concerned about the welfare of workers, while on the other hand, the policy taken regarding the UMP should not be burdensome for the business world.

He said the government would not immediately take a decision by considering only one side, workers or entrepreneurs, but listening to input from many parties.

The government must have thought of the best way during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The policies taken by the government must be carefully calculated as well as possible. The state will not abandon its people," said Lena.

The worst risk when the UMP increases, Lena continued, is that the potential for workers to be terminated will be even greater because the company is unable to pay.

Moreover, at this time there have been around 7 million people who have been laid off, starting from the COVID-19 pandemic.