Airlangga Hartarto: Government Prepares Social Assistance For Honorary Workers

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Twitter @airlangga_hrt)

JAKARTA - The government will provide social assistance (bansos) to honorarium workers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the government is reviewing a scheme to budget for social assistance.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the plan was in accordance with the instructions of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and KCPEN Chief Executive Erick Thohir at the meeting.

"Earlier, Mr. President asked to deepen what was conveyed by the chief executive regarding honorary staff. The government will conduct a study in which honorary staff will be provided with assistance," he said, after a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Monday, September 14.

Airlangga explained that the aid distribution scheme needs to be studied. This is because some honorary staff have received assistance through salary assistance based on BPJS Ketenagakerjaan data. Thus, the government cannot directly provide assistance to honorary workers.

"Because a small number of honorary staff have received assistance from the BPJS Manpower data. So that this will be directed to all honorary staff, we will prepare the program and the details," he said.

Not only that, Airlangga said, the president also asked for the optimization of the Pre-Work Card. He reasoned that the Pre-Work Card will soon reach the target so that it needs further optimization.

"The President also asked for the Pre-Work Card to be discussed with the Ministry of Finance, considering the potential that exists due to the large number of affected informal workers. Currently there are 5.6 million who have received honorary assistance, and 3.8 million have registered. The planned 6 million will be achieved, "he said.