Jokowi Said One Million Informal Workers Were Dismissed During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo received information that millions of informal workers have been sent home and hundreds of thousands of formal workers have received layoffs (PHK) from their employers.

"I received information that about 1 million more informal workers have been laid off and 375 thousand formal workers have been laid off. Meanwhile, for informal workers it is estimated that around 315 thousand have been affected," Jokowi said when opening a limited meeting to discuss mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the labor sector. aired on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Thursday, April 30.

With this information, Jokowi asked his staff to ensure that the government's stimulus program was immediately implemented and running. So, business actors can feel the benefits without having to lay off their employees or lay off their employees.

"I also remind you that these various economic stimulus packages are given to companies that are committed not to layoffs. This is important," he said.

For informal workers who are vulnerable to poverty and poverty, Jokowi asked to be included in the social safety net program prepared in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then in relation to the Pre-Employment Card assistance program, he asked that informal and formal workers who were laid off or who were sent home received priority in this assistance.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta reminded that the distribution of pre-employment cards must be in accordance with the initial priorities, namely for those who are affected. Moreover, now the number of those receiving this assistance continues to increase.

"The latest information I received, the list for the Pre-Employment Card is 8.4 million. Even though the quota is only for 5.6 million. So once again, for victims of layoffs to be given priority," he said.

Jokowi also asked for cash-intensive programs in each ministry to be raised. Such as the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

"So that there is a lot of workforce absorption there," he concluded.