Alms collection plan greeted with caution<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's plan to collect alms from
\nworkers in the private sector received a warm, albeit cautious,
\nreaction from some quarters.<\/p>\n
While most people interviewed said they agreed with the
\ncharitable nature of the plan, some were concerned over the
\nadministration of such a large undertaking.<\/p>\n
Labor activist Fauzie Abdullah criticized the
\ninstitutionalization of alms collection and raised the question
\nof a control mechanism.<\/p>\n
A legislator from the Golkar faction, Ali Rasjidi, and several
\nemployees, said they would support the program as long as the
\ncollection was voluntary.<\/p>\n
The plan was disclosed by Minister of Social Services Inten
\nSuweno early this week after she met with the head of state.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, in his capacity as chairman of the privately run
\ncharity foundation, Yayasan Amal Bhakti Muslim Pancasila,
\nproposed extending the alms collection system already in
\noperation for members of the civil service and the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
He said the alms could be deducted automatically from the
\nworkers' monthly wages. Those with monthly earnings of up to Rp
\n200,000 would be asked to contribute Rp 200 each month. Those
\nearning between Rp 200,000 and Rp 500,000 would be asked to set
\naside Rp 1,000 and those earning more than Rp 500,000 would be
\nasked to contribute Rp 2,000, Inten said.<\/p>\n
The foundation has been active in various charitable causes.<\/p>\n
Poverty eradication<\/p>\n
Soeharto said the alms collected from private sector workers
\nwould be used to finance programs to eradicate poverty, including
\ngiving scholarships to children of poor families.<\/p>\n
\"It is okay to make the appeal, but it is not necessary to
\ndetermine the amount of alms,\" Fauzie said.<\/p>\n
He warned that the collection system could be easily
\nmanipulated, so that what started out as voluntary could end up
\nbeing compulsory.<\/p>\n
He also said not all people are able to contribute Rp 200 a
\nmonth because many workers still have to scramble for a living.<\/p>\n
Fauzie also pointed out that workers in the private sector are
\nalready burdened by various payments, ranging from income tax and
\ninsurance payments to workers' union fees.<\/p>\n
But even if workers volunteer to contribute to the alms
\nprogram, Fauzie said he was skeptical about the administration of
\nthe funds.<\/p>\n
\"Who will have the authority to control the funds and how will
\nthey do it?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
Rasjidi, a member of Commission VI of the House of
\nRepresentative (DPR) overseeing manpower, mining and energy, said
\nhe supported the president's idea as long as the voluntary aspect
\nwas not neglected.<\/p>\n
\"If the president says it is voluntary, there is nothing wrong
\nwith the program,\" Rasjidi said.<\/p>\n
He also insisted that the use of the funds must be
\ntransparent.<\/p>\n
\"As long as the money is used for social activities, I do not
\nhave any objection,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Several employees of private companies said they would support
\nthe alms collection program and have no objections to having a
\nsmall amount deducted from their pay each month.<\/p>\n
\"But the management must ask everybody first whether or not
\nthey agree to the program. If any of us objects, the company must
\nnot deduct the alms from our salaries,\" one woman said. (sim)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alms-collection-plan-greeted-with-caution-1447893297",
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