Tangerang firms pay Idul Fitri bonuses

TANGERANG (JP): Despite the prolonged economic turmoil, most companies operating in the city managed to give Idul Fitri bonuses to their workers in line with the government's regulations, an official said on Monday.

"No information about inability to provide the bonus has thus far been received," said Apon Suryana, head of the Tangerang office of the Ministry of Manpower.

He said that according to his office data, the number of companies in Tangerang reached 2,582, employing 397,995 people.

Any inability on the part of companies to pay the bonus should be reported to the public accountants to prove, he said.

"Companies which are unable to pay the bonus will face two consequences -- protests from their workers and a fine amounting to Rp 100,000 or a three-month jail term, in line with Ministry of Manpower Regulation No. 14/1969," Apon said.

He said that the ministry was meeting with representatives of 600 companies to discuss their obligations to pay the bonus. Every company with more than 100 workers is required to pay the bonus.

The amount of the allowance depended on the length of employment, with those working more that 12 months being entitled to an allowance amounting to a one-month wage.

Those working less than 12 months will get paid a bonus proportionally, he added. (41/hhr)