By: Dhita Karuniawati )*
The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding public welfare through various social assistance and subsidy programs. One of the flagship programs reintroduced in 2025 is the Wage Subsidy Assistance (BSU). This program targets low-income workers as a form of social protection amid global economic pressures, inflation, and fluctuating consumer purchasing power. Through the distribution of BSU 2025, the government aims to strengthen national workers’ purchasing power, stabilize household consumption, and drive inclusive national economic recovery.
BSU was first launched during the Covid-19 pandemic as a measure to mitigate the economic impact on affected workers. This program proved effective in maintaining public consumption and supporting business continuity, particularly in labor-intensive sectors. Entering 2025, although the pandemic has subsided, global pressures such as geopolitical tensions, rising commodity prices, and regional economic shifts remain significant challenges. Therefore, the informal sector and low-wage workers continue to be a key focus of government protection to ensure national economic stability.
BSU 2025 is an incentive program initiated directly by President Prabowo Subianto to boost public purchasing power. Assistance is provided in the amount of IDR 300,000 per month, disbursed in a single installment. The government targets approximately 17.3 million workers earning a maximum of IDR 3.5 million per month, or equal to the provincial or district/city minimum wage (UMP/UMK), as eligible beneficiaries. In addition to low-wage workers, approximately 3.4 million honorary teachers are also eligible to receive the same assistance.
The Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) continues to strengthen the implementation of BSU 2025, including by accelerating and simplifying the distribution process through digital-based services. Kemnaker officially collaborates with PT Pos Indonesia as a distribution partner, particularly for workers who encounter issues with their bank accounts. Subsequent disbursement phases are carried out through Pospay, a digital platform owned by Pos Indonesia, which began national implementation on July 3, 2025.
Head of Public Relations Bureau of Kemnaker, Sunardi Manampiar Sinaga, stated that the government aims to ensure BSU distribution is faster, more accurate, and free of obstacles. If workers face account issues, they can now receive their assistance through Pospay as an alternative.
To facilitate access, beneficiaries can now check their BSU recipient status through three official channels: Kemnaker’s website (kemnaker.go.id), the BPJS Employment website, and the Pospay application. Sunardi emphasized that the entire BSU disbursement process is 100 percent free of charge and conducted exclusively through official channels. The public is advised not to use intermediaries or brokers in any form.
In terms of supervision, Kemnaker ensures strict control over BSU distribution. Digital reporting systems and the involvement of various related institutions are strengthened to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution of assistance funds.
The digitalization of BSU 2025 is not only aimed at administrative efficiency but also part of efforts to expand financial inclusion, especially among informal sector workers. Easy cash withdrawals at post offices and the integration of the Pospay application are expected to encourage workers to become more familiar with digital financial services.
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) also plays an active role in supporting this pro-people policy through the distribution of BSU 2025. As an official distributing bank, BRI has successfully disbursed assistance worth IDR 1.72 trillion to 2.8 million workers across Indonesia. BRI’s Corporate Banking Director, Riko Tasmaya, stated that this achievement reflects BRI’s role as an agent of development. Supported by a service network that reaches remote areas and digital banking technologies such as BRImo and AgenBRILink, BRI ensures that BSU distribution is faster, more efficient, and accessible to all layers of society.
Beneficiaries can withdraw BSU funds via the BRImo application, more than 742,000 BRI e-channels, and 1.19 million AgenBRILink agents spread throughout the country.
BSU 2025 represents the government’s concrete step in protecting workers while promoting national economic growth. With clear targets, transparent distribution, and strict supervision, BSU is not merely direct cash assistance but also a symbol of the state’s presence among the working population striving to improve their welfare.
Despite ongoing global challenges, Indonesia continues to demonstrate resilience and optimism through programs such as BSU. This is not only the work of the government but also the result of synergy with the business community, financial institutions, and the public at large. This collaboration is expected to drive an economic recovery that is fair, sustainable, and beneficial to the working people of Indonesia.
*) The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Studies Institute.
