"Until now, the Manpower Ministry sees that Manpower Ministry's Regulation Number 19 of 2015 regarding JHT is still relevant, considering the situation and conditions of employment are still impacted by COVID-19 pandemic," she said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Manpower Ministry is ensuring that the benefits of the JHT program, as regulated in the Regulation of the Manpower Ministry Regulation Number 19 of 2015 concerning Procedures and Requirements for Payment of Old Age Security Benefits, are still valid, she added.
On the other hand, the benefits of the Job Loss Insurance program will be visible in 2022 and the program will need to be monitored and its implementation evaluated before the benefits of JHT are brought back according to the mandate of the law and its philosophy, Putri said.
The JHT is a long-term social security program that has been designed as a safety net for workers who are retiring, workers who cannot return to work due to permanent total disability before retirement, or workers who have died, she informed.
Meanwhile, the JKP Program aims to serve as a short-term safety net, she added.
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Under the Manpower Ministry's Regulation Number 19 of 2015,the JHT for participants who stop working can be paid once a waiting period of one month has passed, she disclosed.
Meanwhile, the JKP benefits are intended to provide a safety net to workers who stop working, she said. However, the benefits of JHT received by workers in retirement will be greater, she added.
It will be possible to avail the benefits of JHT before retirement if the workers have been participating in the program for at least 10 years, and they can take a maximum of 30 percent of the amount of JHT in question, the official said.
"Therefore, we are currently reviewing the benefits of JHT to return to the philosophy and in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 40 of 2004 regarding the National Social Security System. This is also an effort so that one social security program with another is harmonious and synergistic in providing protection to workers/laborers," Putri added.
The JHT Program also has an additional benefit called Additional Service Benefit (MLT), she revealed. The Old-Age Security Additional Service Benefit currently covers housing for workers/laborers, she said. The additional benefit is also an effort to overcome the housing backlog problem, which has raised the government's concern, she added.
"The government continues to attempt so that all Employment Social Security programs really provide benefits to their participants. We continue to encourage the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) to innovate in developing benefits, services, and membership coverage. The government expects that all social security benefits can truly provide protection and welfare for workers/laborers,” Putri said.
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Translator: Martha H S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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