Jakarta – The government continues to strengthen the protection scheme for workers affected by layoffs (PHK) by optimizing the Job Loss Insurance Program (JKP).
This policy is intended not only as short-term social assistance, but also as a strategic instrument to accelerate labor absorption amidst industrial changes and evolving global economic dynamics.
This measure underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining employment stability while ensuring workers continue to have opportunities to recover and return to productivity.
The Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, emphasized that the state must be present when workers face difficult times due to job loss.
According to him, the JKP Program is proof that state protection does not end when an employment relationship ends, but continues through concrete support so workers can quickly re-enter the workforce.
“The state must be present when workers face difficult times. The JKP Program is proof that worker protection does not stop when an employment relationship ends, but continues through concrete support so they can quickly return to work,” said Yassierli.
He explained that the JKP Program is designed to act as a social cushion and a transition bridge for workers affected by layoffs.
Under this scheme, participants receive cash benefits amounting to 60 percent of their wages for a maximum of six months, with a ceiling of IDR 5 million.
However, the government does not want this program to stop at financial assistance alone. According to Yassierli, social protection must go hand in hand with improving the quality of human resources so that workers can adapt to increasingly rapid technological developments and industrial transformation.
“We want our workers not only to have a safety net, but also to have relevant competencies so they are always ready to face industrial dynamics,” said Yassierli.
This statement reflects the government’s policy direction, which now places strengthening workforce competencies as a crucial part of national social protection.
This way, workers affected by layoffs will not only receive temporary assistance but also the opportunity to improve their skills to become more competitive in the new job market.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, Cris Kuntadi, stated that the government’s current policy direction focuses on strengthening comprehensive protection systems across various employment sectors, from the formal and informal sectors to the digital economy.
According to him, the government is striving to maintain a balance between worker protection and the sustainability of the national business climate.
“Therefore, the government continues to implement policies that favor workers, while maintaining a healthy, productive, and competitive business climate,” he said.
Cris added that strengthening JKP benefits is also accompanied by access to job market information and job training to accelerate the re-absorption of workers affected by layoffs.
This approach is considered important because current employment challenges are not only related to job availability, but also to matching worker competencies to industry needs.
“All of these policies demonstrate the state’s presence in ensuring that Indonesian workers receive protection, legal certainty, and adequate welfare,” Cris said.
Strengthening the JKP Program is a strategic step by the government in building a more adaptive and sustainable employment system.
Amidst changes in the global economic structure, this policy demonstrates that the government is not only focused on maintaining economic growth but also ensuring that worker protection remains a top priority for national development.