Mother Of The Minister Of Manpower Ida Fauziyah, Labor In Riau Islands Rejects The Minister Of Manpower, It Is Impossible To Be 56 Years Old To Disburse JHT

Member of the DPRD for the Riau Islands Province, Wahyu Wahyudin (Photo: ANTARA)

TANJUNGPINANG - Member of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of the Riau Islands Province (Kepri) Wahyu Wahyudin admitted that he received many complaints, inputs, and suggestions from groups of workers or laborers regarding the Regulation of the Minister of Manpower (Permenaker) Number 2 of 2022 concerning Payment Procedures and Requirements Old Age Guarantee (JHT).

"I have received many complaints from various parties, especially industrial workers. They complain and feel aggrieved by the Permenaker," said Wahyudin in Tanjungpinang, Antara, Thursday, February 17.

He said the majority of workers in the industrial sector, especially in Batam City, rejected the Permenaker which was promulgated on February 4, 2022. Article 2 of the Minister of Manpower explains that JHT benefits will be paid to participants in the Social Security Administering Body (BPJS) for Employment or BP Jamsostek if the guarantee participant is 56 years old.

"Many people refuse, because when they end their contract and don't work anymore, they have to wait for the age of 56 before the JHT can be disbursed," he said.

Meanwhile, he continued, the average industrial workforce in Batam is 30-40 years old. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has also triggered quite a number of industrial workers to drop out of contracts and become victims of layoffs. "The situation is difficult, don't let the government make it more difficult," he pleaded.

He hopes that the Government will review the Permenaker, while still being guided by the previous regulation, namely that JHT funds can be disbursed a month after the end of the working period.

"Our hope is that it will be canceled, if it's about old age funds, I'm sure they've already prepared it, whether it's opening a small business, farming or gardening," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of BPJS Employment (BP Jamsostek) Tanjungpinang City Sri Sudarmadi conveyed that the Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 22 of 2022 came into effect effectively on May 4, 2022.

Currently, his party is still referring to Permenaker Number 19 of 2021 regarding the disbursement of JHT funds.

"People who lose their jobs need not worry, because they are still guaranteed by the Job Loss Guarantee (JKP) fund," said Sri Sudarmadi.