Jokowi: The Allocated Social Protection Fund Reaches IDR 186.6 Trillion

President Jokowi with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin/DOK VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that Indonesia had distributed social protection assistance (Perlinsos) of up to IDR 186.64 trillion to ease the burden on the community, including workers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President explained that the social assistance that had been distributed was in the form of the Family Hope Program, Basic Food Cards, Cash Social Assistance to electricity subsidies.

"We have allocated at least IDR 186.64 trillion for social protection", said the President in his remarks at the ILO Global Forum for a Human-Centred Recovery from the COVID-19, reported by Antara, Wednesday, February 23.

The President said that social welfare assistance must continue to be strengthened for workers. According to him, currently, there are 4.14 billion people or 53.1 percent of the world's population who do not have any social media

In addition to fiscal budget support, the implementation of social security policies also requires a high level of political commitment.

"In Indonesia, social protection is an important part of the national economic recovery program, including PKH, basic food cards, cash assistance, and electricity subsidies", he said.

In addition, the President also invited ILO members to create a safe working environment for workers. One of these efforts is the increase in COVID-19 vaccination for workers and their families, both those who work in the formal and informal sectors.

Then, the President also asked ILO members to work together in creating new jobs.

"Signal and innovation are needed to create more job opportunities", he said.

Furthermore, the President advised ILO members to strengthen the competitiveness of workers in facing various challenges in the future.

Likewise, increasing human resource capabilities, especially in digital literacy education. That way, workers can survive in the midst of a digital transformation wave.

"The Indonesian government has launched a Pre-Employment Card for job seekers, as well as those who have dropped out of work, to acquire new skills, or unlock the entrepreneurial potential", said President Jokowi.