"The government is determined to raise the limit of untaxed income to Rp24 million."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that the government is in the process of finalising a plan to raise the limit of workers` untaxed income to Rp24 million from Rp15.8 million per year.
"The government is determined to raise the limit of untaxed income to Rp24 million, from Rp15.8 million previously. The plan has been submitted to the House of Representatives (DPR) so that those whose income is lower than that will not need to pay [income] tax," the President said when inaugurating a low-cost flat in the industrialized island of Batam on Friday.
"The move is part of the government`s efforts to alleviate the financial burden of low-paid workers," he added.
President Yudhoyono stated that within the next two years the government would also build a labour hospital that would serve workers round the clock.
"We are in the process of finalizing the idea. There are military hospitals in Bandung and other areas such as Jakarta where military training grounds are found. The idea of establishing the two kinds of hospitals is the same. Workers also work in 24-hour shifts, so if any of them fall ill they can be taken to the hospital anytime," he explained.
The President said the government was committed to promoting the workers` living standards and also expected employers to establish good relations with their employees, in order to maintain good investment climate and high economic growth.
(L.P008*E007*Y011/Uu.S012/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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