Workers Seek 21-Day Advance THR; NasDem Defends Current 14-Day Eid Bonus Policy

The Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR (House of Representatives), Irma Suryani Chaniago, from the NasDem faction, responded to a proposal from labour unions that the disbursement of Eid bonuses (THR) for private sector workers should be made 21 days before Eid. Irma believes that the current policy of disbursing THR 14 days before Eid is already good.

“In fact, the government’s policy of paying THR two weeks before the holiday is already good,” Irma told reporters on Wednesday (25 February 2026).

According to her, what needs to be strengthened is the supervision from the Ministry of Manpower to ensure that companies comply with the regulations. She also believes that paying taxes is a responsibility as a citizen.

“What remains is for the labour supervisors to maximise their control. As for taxes, it is a citizen’s obligation. Given the current economic situation, the government must take firm action against large companies that do not comply. If necessary, increase their taxes or revoke their operating permits for three months,” she said.

Irma said that monitoring THR for workers in the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector remains a challenge. She said that MSMEs find it difficult to comply with the minimum wage regulations (UMK and UMR).

“It is indeed difficult for MSME workers to comply with the UMK regulations, let alone the UMR. Therefore, local governments must be more prudent in communicating with MSME entrepreneurs,” she said.

Previously, the President of the Labour Party and the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), Said Iqbal, requested that the disbursement of THR for private sector workers and labourers be accelerated to three weeks before Eid al-Fitr, or 21 days before Eid.

“The KSPI and the Labour Party request that the government and the DPR RI make THR payments 21 days in advance, not 14 days as proposed by the DPR, or 7 days as has been decided by the Ministry of Manpower,” said Said.

Said said that accelerating the payment of this allowance is important to prevent unscrupulous companies from carrying out layoffs or sending some of their employees home to avoid paying THR.

“Why 21 days? Because there is a modus operandi from companies, in the run-up to the THR payment, they carry out layoffs or the contracts still exist, but contract and outsourced employees are sent home,” he explained.