East Java Provincial Government Prepares Severance Pay Regulation in Response to Workers' Aspirations
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The East Java Provincial Government is preparing a regulation in the form of a regional bylaw (Perda) on severance pay as a response to workers’ aspirations in the region during the International Labour Day (May Day) commemoration.
“This has actually been discussed a few days ago with the Deputy Governor, the Regional Secretary, and leaders of various labour and worker associations in East Java,” said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa after attending the International Labour Day commemoration in front of the East Java Governor’s Office on Friday.
She explained that, in addition to the regional severance pay bylaw, several other aspirations are being forwarded to the central government, including accelerating discussions on the Manpower Law.
In addition, the first female governor of East Java also revealed workers’ requests regarding the opening of the eighth Trans Jatim corridor passing through Pasuruan.
In particular, she said, to support workers’ access to the Pasuruan Industrial Estate Rembang (PIER).
“Their hope is for us to open the eighth corridor through Pasuruan. We have discussed this with them,” she stated.
However, she emphasised that opening a new corridor requires coordination processes with various parties, including local governments and transport operators.
She hopes that by 2027, the corridor in Pasuruan will be realised so that workers travelling to and from that area can use Trans Jatim.
In the education sector, Khofifah said the East Java Provincial Government is committed to improving access for workers’ children to public high schools and vocational schools.
She mentioned that a 5 per cent quota policy for workers’ children has been in place for six years, but its implementation is still uneven.
“In 2025, it will be fulfilled at 1.33 per cent. From that figure, only nine schools have met the 5 per cent,” she said.
Regarding tax policy, Khofifah explained that workers in the first to fourth decile categories have received exemptions from principal taxes and arrears.
Meanwhile, she continued, proposals for comprehensive exemptions are still in the coordination process.
“Overall, they are proposing exemptions, and we have coordinated it. The process will result in a 20 per cent reduction,” she said.
Meanwhile, in the housing sector, according to her, the East Java Provincial Government is encouraging workers to access housing subsidy assistance through the Self-Help Housing Stimulus Assistance (BSPS) programme.
Khofifah mentioned that her side has coordinated with Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait to discuss allocations for workers in East Java.
“Insya Allah, on the 3rd, the Minister will come to East Java. We have discussed so that there can be worker representatives who can dialogue directly,” said Khofifah.
Nevertheless, she mentioned that the main challenge in providing housing for workers is the limited availability of land.
Of course, she said, the land for that housing must also be affordable and close to industrial centres.
“Of course, if possible, in areas near industrial centres like Gresik and Sidoarjo,” she said.