Aid Recipients Confide And Cry In Front Of Jokowi: Salaries Are Cut And Transportation Costs Are Expensive

Capture the screen of Evisiona Simbolon, one of the beneficiaries who confided in President Jokowi. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially launched a salary or wage assistance program for non-Civil Servant employees (PNS) and State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) of IDR 600 thousand per month. During the launch event, Jokowi held a dialogue with the recipients of the aid.

Evisiona Simbolon, one of the aid recipients, told Jokowi about his current condition. The woman who works as a nurse at the Mitra Kelapa Gading Family Hospital (RS) said that her monthly salary had to be cut, due to the pandemic where she worked.

Evi's story began with Jokowi's question about him. At that time, Jokowi asked Evi to see how much he received from the salary assistance program. Then, Jokowi asked Evi what the assistance would be used for.

Evi was silent, then slowly began to make a voice with a trembling tone and a face that could not hold back tears, she began to tell Jokowi that her life was experiencing difficulties because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Personally, with the presence of COVID-19, we have experienced difficulties. We are also in the hospital experiencing a decrease in income. Every employee gets paid leave, so every month we get paid, sir," said Evi in front of Jokowi, during the inauguration of the Salary Assistance Program. , at the State Palace, Thursday, August 27.

Jokowi seemed to be listening to Evi's story. Jokowo agreed with what Evi told him that the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were experienced by all groups.

"So with the help of this wage subsudy, we would like to express our deep gratitude. Hopefully we can use it well," said Evi.

After listening to Evi's story, Jokowi again asked why this assistance was used.

"My question has not been answered. What do you want to use, if you may know. If not, yes, no need to answer it. For what, buy what ?," Jokowi said.

Evi also answered that the assistance would be used for daily needs, such as transportation costs.

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"Yes, for me personally, sir, for transportation. Right now, with the COVID-19, transportation is expensive. It could also be for personal needs. Hopefully with this assistance we can use it well," Evi replied.

Then, Jokowi asked the same question of honorary teachers who received salary assistance.

"There are honorary teachers? Do you regularly pay BP Jamsostek. Paid by the school? If you may know what you want to use, Madame? Has already transferred Rp1.2 million. I want to have a clue what to use?" Asked Jokowi.

Responding to Jokowi's question, an unnamed honorary teacher said that BP Jamsostek was paid by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government Education Office with a direct mechanism of cutting salaries.

"We will use the assistance as best as possible, Father for daily life," he replied.

The honorary teacher also shared that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the teaching and learning system had to be done online or online. So, this also makes his expenses increase because he has to buy an internet quota.

"Personally, I still live in a rented house, of course it affects the payment of electricity, payment of water because our activities are at home every day. Furthermore, we might add additional costs to our operations, Sir, to buy a quota," he said.

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