Circular Letter Of The Minister Of Manpower Ida Fauziyah Multirafsir, Ombudsman Worries That Labor's THR Is Not Fulfilled

Ombudsman Member Robert Na Endi Jaweng. (Capture screen of the Ombudsman press conference)

JAKARTA - The government requires employers to pay religious holiday allowances (THR) in 2021. According to the Minister of Manpower Circular (SE) number M / 6 / HK.04 / IV / 2021, the employer must pay THR to workers on D-7 or 7 the day before Eid. Currently, the THR disbursement is already underway. However, the Ombudsman is worried that the THR which is the right of workers will not be fulfilled.

Ombudsman member Robert Na Endi Jaweng said that his concern was that his party departed from the SE Menaker which was considered multiple interpretations. Where, the government is still providing concessional THR payments for companies affected by COVID-19.

"We welcome the existence of a circular letter like this because it is the contents of this letter. It's just that the contents of this circular lead to multiple interpretations in the field," he said in a virtual press conference, Wednesday, May 5.

Robert said, on the one hand, there is a firmness that companies are obliged to pay THR no later than 7 days before religious holidays or Lebaran 2021.

"That means the due date is tomorrow. But also this SE provides relief to companies that cannot afford it," he explained.

"Here there are two doors or two options. The first is of course there will be a deadline until D-1 before the Eid Al-Fitr, this means that there are other things that need to be monitored. Second, what about those who even after Eid still do not. can pay? Here it is very important to monitor, "he continued.

Robert said the Ombudsman sees three possibilities that occur in relation to the SE Menaker. First, companies that will comply with their obligation to pay THR no later than H-7 before the holiday.

"Second, the group of companies that will pay the THR from D-7 to D-1. Third, companies that even after Eid are not necessarily able to pay," he said.

Robert considered it important to have supervision and accuracy in the application of this circular letter in the field. If the company is not able to pay the THR within the stipulated time, then an open dialogue must be held with employees.

He also hopes that the regional Manpower Office will also supervise meetings between companies and employees to minimize unwanted possibilities.

"Then the results of the dialogue must be stated in a mutual agreement. This mutual agreement is mainly about the payment scheme and then the deadline," he explained.