Joint Leave Moved, Liquid THR Before April 19 Makes It Easier For Workers To Do Homecoming

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government urges all companies to fulfill the provision of Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri holiday allowances (THR) to workers no later than April 18, 2023.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said the appeal for the THR was also discussed in a limited meeting regarding the preparation of the homecoming flow led by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Friday.

"One thing we urge, especially regarding the private sector, is to give THR earlier so that on April 18th," Budi Karya said in a press statement after the meeting, as reported by Antara, Monday, March 27.

The deadline for giving the appeal is also related to changes to the 2023 Eid leave schedule from April 21-26 to April 19-25.

By ensuring that the THR has been disbursed on April 18, he continued, entrepreneurs have given their workers the opportunity to start traveling back and forth on April 18 evening.

"On the 18th, it is certain that they have received the THR and they can travel from 18 nights," he added.

Meanwhile, based on the Regulation of the Minister of Manpower (Permenaker) Number 6 of 2016 concerning Religious Holiday Allowances for Workers/Labourers in Companies, companies are required to pay THR to workers no later than seven days before the religious holiday in question.

Thus, when referring to Eid al-Fitr 1444 H, which according to the national holiday of SKB Three Ministers falls on April 22-23 2023, then THR should be paid on April 15, 2023.

Permenaker Number 6 of 2016 also stipulates that the company will receive a fine of five percent of the total THR that must be paid in the event of a late payment.

For information, Budi Karya together with the National Police Chief General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo is the party that proposes to change the schedule for Eid al-Fitr 1444 H.

According to Budi Karya, the schedule for collective leave, which was originally 21-26 April 2023, has the potential to experience a build-up of homecoming on April 21.

Therefore, he and Listyo Sigit suggested that the joint leave schedule be moved forward by two days and ended one day earlier, to 19-25 April 2023, in order to provide at least four days for travelers to travel.

"It can be said because it was decided in a de facto meeting that occurred, we only have to propose de jure to the President; and I think I will have a meeting with the three ministries," said Budi Karya.