Entrepreneurs Asked To Pay Full THR D-7 Lebaran, Kadin: It's An Obligation That Must Be Given To Workers

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Ida Fauziyah asked employers to pay the full holiday allowance (THR) to workers no later than seven days before Eid Al-Fitr 1444 Hijri or April 15, 2023.

This is in accordance with Circular Number M / 2 / HK.0400 / III / 2023 concerning the Implementation of the 2023 Religious Holiday Allowances for Workers / Laborers in companies.

Responding to this, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Regional Autonomy Development Sarman Simanjorang said entrepreneurs are ready to pay religious holiday allowances (THR) in accordance with government regulations.

"We from entrepreneurs support what the government has said because this THR is also the obligation of entrepreneurs to be given to work according to the Employment Law. We hope that our entrepreneurs will be able to carry out their obligations to give THR to their workers this year 100 percent," said Sarman as quoted by Antara, Thursday, March 30.

However, said Sarman, not all business sectors are able to carry out their obligations to pay 100 percent THR.

One example of an industry that is still slumping amid the impact of global uncertainty is labor-intensive industries, especially export-oriented industries.

The slowdown in labor-intensive industry performance has even led the government to issue Permenaker Number 5 of 2023 concerning Work Time Adjustments and Wages at Certain Export-oriented Labor Intensive Industry Companies Affected by Global Economic Change.

"So the salary has only been given 75 percent dispensation, what about their obligation to pay the THR? So, in my opinion, of course, everything will return to the capabilities of each entrepreneur, in this case of course the role of the bipartite is very much needed in order to be able to communicate the best way," he said.

Sarman hopes that all entrepreneurs will be able to pay THR. However, he understands the condition of entrepreneurs in export-oriented industries who are still facing difficult conditions.

According to him, communication through bipartite negotiations can maintain good industrial relations.

"THR is the responsibility and main rights of workers. Entrepreneurs are committed to fulfilling that, but if in reality there are sectors like what I said earlier experiencing an disrupted cash flow condition, of course this must be communicated properly so that industrial relations are maintained," said Sarman.