Democrat Legislators Give Important Notes In Tapera Polemics, One Of Them Is A Cut In Employee Salaries

Member of the House of Representatives from the Democratic Faction, Herman Khaeron (DOK Nailin/VOI)

JAKARTA - Member of the House of Representatives from the Democratic Faction, Herman Khaeron, said that his party would listen to the aspirations of the public regarding the government's plan to cut employee salaries for people's housing savings (Tapera). Because according to him, this policy should not burden people who receive low wages. "Law Number 6 of 2016 certainly hopes that the Indonesian people will meet their housing needs. But I think, with the current polemic, the DPR will hear the aspirations of the people," said Herman at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 29. The West Java electoral district Democratic legislator said the DPR would not turn its eyes and ears on changes to Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2020 concerning Public Housing Savings into Government Regulation Number 21 of 2024 which was signed by President Joko Widodo on May 20, 2024. The reason is, it is not only the obligations of civil servants and the TNI-Polri, independent workers are also charged like BPJS. "So the DPR will hear, see of course the extent of the public's response to this issue. For us in the Democratic Faction, we continue to listen and continue to absorb aspirations with this," said Herman. The member of Commission VI of the DPR also provided notes regarding this Tapera. First, Tapera contributions must be managed by an accountable management body and provide long-term guarantees. "Because after all this will be sustainable, even in the Tapera rules, the tenor is 30 years. So this is very long," said Herman. "Well second, will this contribution be given only in the form of a house or will it be paid? After all, working in company A to move to company B, company C, its location is getting further and further away," he added. The Democrat politician also advised the government to inventory pieces of workers' salaries. This is because there are already many due obligations such as BPJS Kesehatan, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, JHT savings, not to mention other internal levies. "So don't let the salary, which is indeed Tapera, be intended for low income salaries. Don't let it be low, it's getting lower," Herman reminded. The Democratic Faction, added Herman, will continue to review and find the right solution to be proposed to the government so that the implementation of this policy does not burden workers. "Because on the other hand, this housing is also important for the community, but also do not be burdensome for the people, low-income people," he concluded. For information, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has stipulated Government Regulation Number 21 of 2024 concerning amendments to Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2020 concerning Public Housing Savings on May 20, 2024. In Article 5 of the regulation, it is explained that every worker with the lowest age is 20 years or married who has the minimum income of the minimum wage, must be a Tapera participant.

Article 7 includes the types of workers who must be Tapera participants. Namely, not only ASN and TNI-Polri, as well as BUMN but also private workers and other workers who receive salaries or wages.