Pekalongan, C Java (ANTARA) - Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah confirmed her ministry allocated Rp37.7 trillion as a wage subsidy for 15.7 million workers registering for the BPJS Manpower insurance, with monthly salary below Rp5 million and impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"However, of the total Rp37.7 trillion, we have returned Rp8 trillion since it turns out that only 12.4 million workers are eligible, out of the previous figure reaching 15.7 million," Fauziyah noted here on Sunday afternoon.
The returned amount of Rp8 trillion was channeled to assist contract-based teachers at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Education and Culture, she remarked.
"Several contract-based teachers have written letters to the Ministry of Manpower explaining that they are also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, we return the funds, so it can be utilized to help contract-based teachers," she revealed.
The minister vouched for the government’s all-out efforts in battling the COVID-19 pandemic and had offered protection to those affected people.
"We must win against COVID-19 at all costs. Hence, the government will invite local governments and communities to help emerge out of the current difficult circumstances," she stated.
The government has implemented the Workers' Wage Subsidy (BSU) Program since several workers lost their income fully or partly owing to the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to a global economic slowdown.
"We remind the public, so that all can remain productive but safe from COVID-19. We must not be reckless. We can gather, but we must maintain our distance," she emphasized.
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