Supporting The Ministry Of Manpower, BPJS Watch: JHT Takes Immediately When Layoffs Make Workers Have No Savings

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - BPJS Watch Advocacy Coordinator Timboel Siregar views the new rules regarding old age insurance (JHT) in the Minister of Manpower Regulation (Permenaker) Number 2 of 2022 are correct. In this case, new workers can take JHT benefits when they are 56 years old.

In his view, Timboel Permenaker Number 19 of 2015 which allows workers to take JHT immediately after he is no longer working is not a good thing because it causes loss of savings in old age.

"Permenaker Number 2 of 2022 actually corrects what was wrong to become right. What was wrong in Permenaker Number 19 of 2015, was when layoffs were taken directly (JHT), layoffs were taken directly. This causes workers to have no savings," said Timboel in the discussion. Crosscheck, Sunday, February 20.

What needs to be remembered, continued Timboel, is the results of the National Socio-Economic Survey (susenas) in 2020. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) states that the most dominant people experiencing poverty are the elderly.

Thus, Timboel said the new JHT regulation could encourage people to continue to have purchasing power when they were old.

"This is what we encourage so that workers also have a passion for saving. Don't just consume it, you see. After all, life will continue with the family," explained Timboel.

For information, the rejection of the new JHT regulations from the workers appeared after the Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 22 of 2022 was issued. Petitions until demonstrations against JHT can only be liquidated at the age of 56, sticking out.

However, in his explanation some time ago, the Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Ida Fauziyah reminded that the JHT program is intended for long-term interests in order to prepare workers at an unproductive age or in old age.

"As the name implies, the JHT program is an effort for all of us to prepare our workers in their old age, when they are no longer working, they can still continue their life well," said Ida Fauziyah.

"From the beginning, the JHT program was prepared for long-term interests," he said.

For short-term interests, there are several other programs, such as the latest Job Loss Guarantee (JKP) to help workers who are victims of layoffs (PHK).

Regarding the JHT provisions given to participants who reach the age of 56 years, Ida said the provisions did not apply to participants who died or experienced permanent total disability.

For participants who die, it can be claimed by the heirs and for those who are in a condition of permanent total disability, claims can be submitted after the determination of the permanent total record.