Scenarios of Govt for ‘mudik’ and to remind private sector for ‘THR’

Last updated on May 13th, 2021 at 05:35 am

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his ranks are preparing scenarios to prevent people from embarking on eid homecoming or ‘mudik’, an annual exodus of individuals returning to their villages and hometowns to celebrate Eidul Fitr with friends and families.

“To ensure the community stayed safe at home, it might be an alternative to move national holidays on other days for feast day. It can be discussed,” President Jokowi stated at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Thursday.

This this matter was conveyed during a limited meeting via videoconferencing themed “The Discussion on Anticipating Mudik” with Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and ministers of the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet.

Besides, other scenarios are the government to provide facilities for the mass exodus during the alternate days.

“The second is to provide facilities for mudik to the public in lieu of the feast day. Thus, they can explore tourist attractions owned by the region free of charge,” the president remarked.

He believes that if these scenarios are applied, the community can remain safe and calm at home, especially for those in Greater Jakarta.

As for the Eidul Fitr 1441 H was set by the government fall on May 24-25, 2020, with joint leave on May 26-29, 2020.

Meanwhile, until Wednesday (Apr 2), the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Indonesia had reached 1,790, with 112 people declared cured while 170 people dead.

By seeing the increasing number of the cases and to prevent more coronavirus infections, the Indonesian Government has urged citizens to cancel plans for ‘mudik’, an annual exodus when people return to their villages and hometowns to celebrate Eidul Fitr with friends and families.

“The holy month of Ramadan will soon be upon us. Of course, we will miss going back to our villages, but it is more important that we keep our villages healthy. Therefore, we should not return to our hometowns,” said the government’s spokesperson for COVID-19 response, Achmad Yurianto, during a press briefing on Wednesday in Jakarta.

According to the task force, the coronavirus outbreak has spread to a total of 32 provinces in Indonesia.

On the other hand, Jakarta Transportation Agency recorded that as of March 31, more than 70,000 people have left for their hometown or popularly known mudik since the coronavirus emergency status was issued on March 16.

“We have been appealing to the residents to suspend their homecoming trips to prevent the transmission of the virus infection or COVID-19,” said Syafrin as quoted by Tempo on Thursday, April 2.

However, nearly 90,000 people from other regions were also recorded entering Jakarta throughout March 16-31.

Syafrin asserted that the city administration since last week had conducted intense efforts to prevent the people from returning to their hometown in the wake of the pandemic and even recommended the temporary halt of the operation of intercity and interprovincial (AKAP) buses.

“We continuously call them to suspend their trips until the outbreak subsides,” Syafrin said, adding that Jakarta is now the epicenter of the COVID-19 in Indonesia.

THR

THR is non-wage income or special allowance that employers must pay to their employees or their families in the wake of religious holidays, Eidul Fitr in Indonesia.

Eventhough during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, almost private sectors get impact to their business, but the business owner are advised to provide THR to their employees.

In a virtual conference with Coordinating Minister for Economy Airlangga Hartarto, President Jokowi reminded private sector businesses to fulfill their obligations in paying employees’ THR.

“Together with the president, we discussed the private sector’s preparation in providing THR. He reminded the private sector that THR is a requirement according to the Constitution,” said Airlangga following his meeting with President Jokowi today, April 2.

Regarding the recipients accordint to him, it will not only be granted to workers in the manufacturing industry but is set to be broadened to the tourism sector, transportation, and a plethora of other business sectors.

Moreover, Airlangga also assured that the Ministry of Manpower has prepared a number of economic stimuli for the business industry through income tax incentives overseen by Article 21, where it will be reviewed by government to add the broadened business sectors and assured that the government will soon implement it.