Maintain The Purchasing Power Of Workers, KSPI Asks Jokowi To Include The Wage Subsidy Budget In The 2021 State Budget

JAKARTA - The Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) has asked President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to continue with Wage Subsidies (BSU) or salary subsidies by including the budget in the 2021 State Budget (APBN).

The President of KSPI Said Iqbal said that the purchasing power of workers had greatly decreased amidst the threat of an explosion of layoffs and the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, KSPI asked BSU to continue to maintain purchasing power.

"We ask the President, the leadership of the DPR, BSU to remain there because he maintains purchasing power. Put it in if it is not in the 2021 APBN, later in the APBN 2021 changes," he said in a virtual press conference, Wednesday, February 10.

Iqbal also asked Jokowi's ministers who previously confirmed that the BSU would continue in 2021. However, in reality the budget for BSU was not included in the 2021 State Budget.

"Now the BSU has been eliminated. Where have the Minister of Manpower been? Why can't you convince Commission IX, what does the Minister of Man do? Previously, Pak Erick Thohir promised the Minister of BUMN, Mrs. Sri Mulyani the Minister of Finance and Mrs. Ida Fauziyah the Minister of Manpower, in 2021 there will still be wage subsidy assistance. -When it doesn't get included in the 2021 State Budget ?, "said Iqbal.

Iqbal responded to the statement about BSU being included in the Pre-Employment Card program. Iqbal said this was just a trick by the government because the BSU budget was not included in the 2021 State Budget.

"The Menaker said don't be afraid that there are still other forms. It is impossible in the 2021 BSU State Budget, where do you want to take it from your personal pocket. He said that the Pre-Work Card is Rp3.5 million, the Pre-Work Card is for unemployed people. BSU for people who work, the period cannot be different. Never mind, "he said.

Previously, the Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Ida Fauziyah said the Wage Subsidy Assistance (BSU) program or salary subsidies was discontinued. Meanwhile, the Pre-Work Card program will continue this year with a budget allocation of IDR 20 trillion.

"The wage subsidy has not been allocated in the 2021 budget. Because we are concentrating on the Pre-Work Card program. So the Pre-Employment Card program is still continuing," said Ida, Wednesday, February 3.

Ida emphasized that the Pre-Work Card program is not only for competency improvement but also incentives for program recipients. Therefore, the government no longer uses the wage subsidy scheme in providing assistance to workers affected by COVID-19.