Proposed vertical housing for workers in Bekasi moves forward
Bekasi Regency — The government has begun following up on proposals to build subsidised vertical housing for workers in Bekasi Regency, West Java, near industrial estates, by conducting feasibility studies on the programme’s implementation, covering financing, construction and site selection.
“Common ground has been reached, in the sense that there has been direct follow-up from the central government, specifically the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas. The Deputy Minister has inspected the site personally, and the outcome was positive,” said Bekasi Regency Legislative Council Chairman Ade Sukron Hanas in Cikarang on Sunday.
Ade and fellow council members accompanied Deputy Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Fahri Hamzah on a visit to the proposed site for the workers’ vertical housing, located on Jalan Serang Bulak, Wanajaya Village, Cibitung Sub-district, Bekasi Regency.
He stated that the vertical housing initiative originated from the All-Indonesia Trade Union Confederation (KSPSI), which submitted the proposal to the central government with support from the local administration. The proposal is considered aligned with President Prabowo Subianto’s public housing programme.
“KSPSI’s desire for workers’ flats is considered relevant, especially given the President’s current programme. However, with increasingly limited land availability, vertical housing is the solution being offered. KSPSI has proposed the construction of tower blocks for employees, at minimum for those who can access affordable government housing,” he said.
The proposal stems from the difficulty of obtaining subsidised housing near industrial estates. The majority of subsidised homes are built in outlying areas with limited access for workers. Given the scarcity of available land, the vertical housing concept was adopted.
According to Ade, the visit confirmed that the proposed land is available and strategically located near industrial estates. Plans have even expanded to include a proposal for a new toll road access point near the workers’ housing to ease commuting.
“The Deputy Minister requested detailed calculations and asked for a toll road access point to be opened, which is expected to facilitate workers’ commutes and also help ease traffic congestion in Cibitung. The land itself is privately owned and the owners are prepared to release it,” he said.
Nevertheless, several further stages are required before the housing programme can be realised, including determining the construction and financing schemes. The detailed calculations and implementation framework fall under the purview of the central government.
“The regional government’s role is to facilitate and support through easing the permit issuance process. What is clear is that workers’ housing will make it easier for them to meet their basic needs,” he said.
The workers’ flats plan had previously been discussed by the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas together with the Ministry of Manpower and workers’ representatives. The housing is considered important for reducing workers’ expenditure burden whilst improving their quality of life and welfare.
The Ministry of Manpower has recorded that 20 per cent of workers’ wages are spent on rent. Meanwhile, efforts to access subsidised housing programmes actually increase expenditure given the distance from workplaces, resulting in high transport costs and lengthy daily commutes.
Special Staff to the Minister of Manpower, Indra, said many workers still face limited access to housing that matches their financial capacity, particularly near industrial estates, making the development of subsidised housing in industrial areas a strategic solution.
“Many workers must allocate up to 20 per cent of their wages solely for rent. This is a real challenge that needs to be addressed through well-targeted policies,” he said.
According to him, the workers’ housing programme is in line with the three million homes programme, including the provision of subsidised housing for low-income earners such as workers and labourers.
Indra added that the government has also prepared a Housing Finance Liquidity Facility (FLPP) scheme with low interest rates and affordable instalments, making it more accessible for workers and labourers.
“The government wants to ensure workers have access to affordable housing close to their workplaces. This is part of a collective effort to achieve that goal, including through the provision of subsidised apartments in industrial areas,” he said.