Minister tells firms to pay Muslim workers early allowance

Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite the country's economic difficulties, manpower and transmigration minister Jacob Nuwa Wea has appealed to employers to pay the annual bonus to Muslim workers two weeks before Idul Fitri that falls on Nov. 25, to let them celebrate the religious holiday joyfully.

"I appeal to all employers to pay the annual bonus to Muslim workers on Nov. 11, two weeks before Idul Fitri, so that they can leave for their home villages to celebrate the great religious event with their own families joyfully," he told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday.

The minister made the plea in connection with the annual exodus of workers from industrial zones in Java to their home villages around two weeks before Idul Fitri to join the celebration with their families.

Nuwa Wea said further that more than 176,000 companies now registered as employing 10 workers or more were required to pay the annual bonus and so far, none had asked for an exemption since the ruling took effect in 1994.

"We also call on the people to pay the annual bonus to their Muslim domestic helpers although there is no obligation for them to do so," he added.

He said it was a hard time for numerous companies whose activities were dependent on the United States' economy, which had taken a dive following Washington's military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Internally, many other companies have also been facing difficulties amid the unconducive business climate at home due to security threats and the serious unemployment problem," he said.

He, however, believed that employers still had a strong commitment to put aside a part of their decreasing annual profit to help avoid possible unrest among workers.

Separately, A.E. Manihuruk, acting director general for supervision of labor affairs at the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration, said that none of the 176,000 registered companies and non-profit organizations had requested an exemption from paying the annual bonus.

"In view of this, all Muslim workers are expected to observe the Idul Fitri celebration wholeheartedly," he said, explaining that troubled companies were required to submit an exemption request two months before Idul Fitri.

Ministerial Decree No. 4/1994 stipulates that in observance of religious holidays, workers employed for three months or more have the right to receive an annual bonus equivalent to one month's gross salary, including fixed allowances.

It stipulates that the annual bonus is to be paid seven days before Idul Fitri for Muslim workers, seven days before Christmas for Christians, seven days before the Hindu Day of Silence for Hindus and seven days before the Buddhist Day of Enlightenment for Buddhists.

"The annual bonus consists of basic salaries and permanent allowances and it must be paid at the latest seven days before the major religious holidays. Workers are requested to report employers who violate the decree," he said, adding that violators could be sentenced to three months imprisonment or a Rp 50 million fine.