The Government Must Completely Be Present To Help Victims Of Layoffs Get Their Rights

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Employment observer and Secretary General of the Indonesian Workers Organization (OPSI) Timboel Siregar assessed that the government must be fully present to help victims of layoffs (PHK) get their rights.

Timboel said that some of the rights for layoff victims include compensation in the form of severance pay, service awards, and rights replacement.

The second is holiday allowance (THR) because Idul Fitri is a month away. Referring to Article 7 of the Minister of Manpower 6 of 2016 concerning THR, workers who are laid off starting 30 days before the holiday are entitled to THR," said Timboel, quoted by Antara, Monday, March 3.

Furthermore, he said regulators could also provide assistance to workers to get the Job Loss Guarantee Program (JKP), to get a maximum cash benefit of 6 months of 60 percent of wages (a maximum wage of IDR 5 million), before being given job market training and information.

He also reminded BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to help the process of disbursing JHT funds for workers who will take them.

"Furthermore, BPJS Kesehatan must help laid-off workers and their families to get the benefits of the JKN Program for a maximum of 6 months without paying dues again in grade 3, and if it is over 6 months they can register as PBI. This is in accordance with the mandate of Article 27 of Presidential Decree No. 59 of 2024," said Timboel.

"Then, the government helps laid-off workers for those who want to be entrepreneurs by providing KUR (People's Business Credit), and for children who are laid off workers who are indeed less able to encourage them to get a Smart Indonesia Card (KIP)," he added.

Timboel also underlined that there needs to be serious steps or efforts from the central government and local governments to support the domestic industry so that they can continue to operate.

Such as restrictions on imports of goods from outside (textiles, shoes, etc.), providing tax incentives, protection for companies so as not to be blackmailed by thugs or mass organizations so that no illegal costs are issued, low interest rates, and others," he explained.