Jakarta (ANTARA) - Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah drew attention to several differences between the wage subsidy program (BSU) scheme in 2021 and that of the previous year.

"There were at least three differences from the BSU last year," Fauziyah stated in a press release in Jakarta, Wednesday.

The first difference pertains to the criteria for BSU recipients, especially on the wage or salary limit, region, and affected work sector.

Fauziyah noted that the 2021 BSU will target those with a maximum salary Rp3.5 million per month. For workers in regions with a minimum regional wage (UMR) of above Rp3.5 million, the salary will be rounded up to a full hundred thousand.

For instance, for a UMR of Rp4,416,185 in Jakarta, it will be rounded up to Rp4.5 million.

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"As for the aspect of regional boundaries, workers entitled to BSU are those working in PPKM level 3 and level 4 areas set by the government as stipulated in Attachment I to Manpower Ministry Regulation Number 16 of 2021," she expounded.

This year's BSU is prioritized for workers operating in the consumer goods industry, transportation, miscellaneous industries, property and real estate, and trade and services, except for education and health services.

"Meanwhile, last year, the maximum salary for BSU recipients was Rp5 million, and there were no regional or sectoral restrictions," Fauziyah pointed out.

The second criteria entails the amount of funds that the BSU recipient will receive this year, reaching Rp1 million for two months, which is different as compared to last year's nominal figure totaling Rp2.4 million for four months.

The last aspect is the distribution schemes, especially in the accounts of BSU recipients. All the money will be channeled through State-owned Enterprise banks (Himbara), such as BRI, BNI, BTN, and Mandiri. Last year, the disbursal of BSU funds was done through the personal accounts of BSU recipients.

The minister is optimistic that this year's BSU distribution would run smoothly, help workers whose incomes reduced, and drive economic growth.

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Translator: Anita D, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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