Golkar Politician Affirms Disbursement Of JHT At The Age Of 56 Is Not New, Explains Rules That Are Lack Of Socialization

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR from the Golkar Party faction, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, responded to the polemic of the Minister of Manpower Regulation Number 2 of 2022 concerning Procedures and Requirements for payment of Old Age Security Benefits.

According to him, there is a misunderstanding in the community regarding the provision of JHT, which can only be disbursed when the worker is 56 years old.

"Actually, this is not new, because it has also been stated in the Government Regulation (PP) related to JHT, where the age limit is stated at 56 years," said Melkiades Laka Lena to reporters, Monday, February 14.

The Golkar legislator from the NTT electoral district then explained that the Old Age Security (JHT) and Job Loss Insurance (JKP) programs are two of the many government assistance programs that are mutually supportive. These two programs, said Melki, are beneficial for workers and workers.

"These are two of the many government assistance programs for our workers," he explained.

Melki explained that both JHT and JKP were made to ensure that the government could accommodate various labor needs.

JKP is specifically for people who have lost their jobs, have been laid off, or have resigned. Meanwhile, JHT is given as a guarantee to face old age.

According to Melki, the policy of granting or paying JHT at the age of 56 has essentially repositioned the two programs in their original stipulations.

"So there's really no problem here," said Melki.

If then there are obstacles in the community, Melki assesses, it is more about the lack of socialization and communication.

"The government has made many good programs for workers, helping them. It's just a matter of how to socialize and communicate it so that workers can accept and understand it well. I don't think there is a problem with that," he explained.

Therefore, Melki said, intensive socialization and communication should also be carried out with trade unions so that this polemic becomes clear.

"Sit together, like we usually do," he concluded

Previously, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto explained about the Old Age Security (JHT) which can only be disbursed 100 percent at the age of 56 years. Airlangga claimed that the number of workers received was greater.

Airlangga initially explained about the Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 2 of 2022 which regulates the procedure for paying JHT. He also mentioned that there was a difference between JHT and job loss guarantees.

"The Old Age Security is a protection for workers or workers for the long term. While the Job Loss Guarantee is a short-term guarantee that is also given to workers and laborers," said Airlangga in a virtual press conference, Monday, February 14.

The general chairman of the Golkar Party said that JHT is intended for workers to have money when they retire. He said there are several benefits of JHT.

"First, the accumulation of contributions from development. Second, other benefits that can be disbursed before retirement with certain conditions, have followed a minimum of 10 years of membership and the value that can be claimed is at most 30 percent of the amount of old-age security for housing purposes or 10 percent outside housing," he said.

He said that the accumulated contributions would be greater if they were taken when the worker entered the retirement age of 56 years. He said the government will continue to provide protection for workers who have been laid off through job loss guarantees.

"With the Minister of Manpower Regulation 2/2022, the accumulated contributions and benefits will be greater if participants reach retirement age, which is at the age of 56 years," he said.

"JKP does not reduce existing social security, and JKP contributions do not burden workers and employers because the amount of contributions of 0.46 percent of wages comes from the central government," he continued.