Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Arsjad Rasjid, has said that companies must be transparent and communicate with employees if they face difficulties in paying the religious holiday bonus (THR).

At Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia's open house here on Wednesday, he said that THR is a part of employers' responsibilities toward workers.

"All employers who are not in good condition need to be transparent and talk directly to employees and workers to say they cannot afford it," Rasjid told reporters.

Through transparency and good communication, it is hoped that workers will be able to understand their companies' situation in terms of difficulties in paying THR.

"Workers and laborers can understand, but there must be communication and interaction, but again it is a responsibility, part of doing business in Indonesia," he added.

There are several factors that are making it difficult for companies to pay THR, one of them is the poor economic development in the textile sector in a number of countries, Rasjid noted.

"The economy abroad is not good, and in some countries, it is declining, but their capacity is large. These countries are looking for a market and Indonesia is seen as very large. Our job is to maintain it to not let all outside products to enter the country," he expounded.

Earlier, Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah emphasized that the THR for this year must be paid in full by employers and cannot be provided in installments.

At a press conference at the Manpower Ministry's Office here on Monday, Fauziyah said that she has issued Circular Number M/2/HK.04/III/2024 concerning the 2024 THR Implementation for Workers/Laborers in Companies.

She stressed that the THR must be paid seven days before Eid al-Fitr.

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Translator: Martha S, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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