164,450 Victims of Layoffs Receive Basic Food Assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs

JAKARTA (17th June 2020) - The Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara and the Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziah, handed over 164,450 basic food packages to the victims of layoffs in the Jabodetabek area coordinated by the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker), Wednesday (17/6).

The Minister of Social Affairs expressed his pride because he was able to collaborate with the Ministry of Manpower. "We are proud to be able to work together, collaborate with the Ministry of Manpower," said Ari, the Minister Social Affairs's nickname.

The Minister of Social Affairs also gave new hope for the layoffs victims who had not received assistance, "We are here to state that if it is still possible, we will add assistance, because the plan is this social assistance and cash assistance program will be continued until December from IDR 600,000 per month per family to IDR 300,000 thousand per month per family," added the Minister of Social Affairs.

We, said the former member of the DPR (Regional House of Representatives) for two periods, are opening up more opportunities if there are data on recipients who are deemed worthy of receiving social assistance. He said he was ready to receive new data on social assistance recipients.

Symbolically, 13 representatives from various trade unions received assistance at the Multipurpose Hall of the Ministry of Manpower, Wednesday (17/6).

In the delivery of the basic food assistance, the Minister of Social Affairs was accompanied by the Director General of Social Protection and Security (Linjamsos), Pepen Nazarudin, Minister's Expert Staff for Social Accessibility, Sonny W. Manalu, Secretary of the Directorate General of Linjamsos, MO Royani, and Acting Director of Social Protection for Social Disaster Victims (PSKBS), Adi Wahyono.

Furthermore, the Minister of Social Affairs admitted that at first the Minister of Manpower called him to ask for help with basic food packages for workers who were laid-off.

“At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understood very well, as soon as the Minister called (me), and  I immediately agreed because if through the Ministry of Manpower (who asked), this assistance would not be misdirected," the Minister of Social Affairs revealed the beginning of the collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower.

The father of two children also hopes that the President's basic food assistance that is distributed will be beneficial, especially for the recipients who represent, at least lighten the burden of daily life.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziah, said that her party really understands the friends of the Trade Unions and Labor Unions are also facing this pandemic.

"I hope what the government’s doing can a little bit lighten the burden. Of course I know there are still many things that must be borne by trade workers and laborers," said Ida.

She continued, We will continue to work through our programs and in the social form through this mitigating assistance from the Minister of Social Affairs.

The Minister of Manpower claimed to have 1.7 million validated data and 1.2 million data currently in the validation process outside Jabodetabek that still need government assistance.

“I welcome and very happy with what the Minister of Social Affairs was conveyed, and presumably to the Mrs. Director General, the verified data can be submitted to the Minister of Social Affairs so that people outside Jabodetabek also feel the same way,” said Ida appealed to the officials in agency her leads.

One of the basic food assistance recipients from the Workers Union of Solusi Bangun Indonesia expressed his gratitude and feels calm because he had received basic food assistance from the government.

“Feel grateful and calm, our friends get attention with the impact of this COVID-19. We would like to thank the government through the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Social Affairs, can realize assistance for the people affected by COVID-19," said the Head of Social Affairs for the Workers Union of Solusi Bangun Indonesia, Aji Widodo.