By: Rosman Graham (*
The government has demonstrated its commitment to improving workers’ welfare by expanding the subsidized housing quota. This policy is a breath of fresh air amidst high housing prices and workers’ limited access to adequate housing. Housing is more than just a place to live; it is a basic necessity that determines the quality of life for working families. Therefore, the government’s move to increase the subsidized housing allocation from 20,000 to 50,000 units is commendable as a concrete step in favor of the working class.
Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, emphasized that this policy demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing workers’ basic needs. He stated that this achievement stems from collaborative work across ministries, driven by concern for workers. He believes that expanding the subsidized housing quota is a concrete step by the government to ensure that workers’ welfare is not merely a promise but is delivered through concrete solutions.
Yassierli also added that this policy aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of prioritizing workers’ welfare as a national development priority. The availability of subsidized housing is clear evidence that the state is committed to protecting, empowering, and ensuring the fulfillment of workers’ basic rights. Furthermore, the government is developing a policy ecosystem that supports workers, particularly in fulfilling the right to adequate and affordable housing.
Regarding housing, the Minister of Housing and Settlements (PKP), Maruarar Sirait, emphasized that this policy is not merely symbolic, but rather a continuation of the government’s concrete work. According to him, the 50,000-unit target was decided after considering workers’ enthusiasm and the growing real needs on the ground. He presented data from the Tapera Development Agency (BP Tapera), which recorded that more than 36,000 housing units had been successfully built for workers and formal workers. This figure proves that the program is effective and fast-paced, not just a mere ambition on paper.
Furthermore, Ara—as she is familiarly known—explained that the subsidized housing scheme aligns with the government’s ambitious targets: renovating two million uninhabitable homes and building one million vertical housing developments. This program is not only oriented towards quantity, but also quality and fair distribution. The government ensures that aid distribution is based on accurate data through the use of the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTSEN) in accordance with Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2025. With this system, subsidized housing assistance will be truly targeted, reaching laborers and workers who need it most.
The Public Housing Savings Management Agency (BP Tapera) also provided full support. BP Tapera Commissioner Heru Pudyo Nugroho stated that his agency would collaborate with distributing banks and developer associations to expedite the distribution and construction of subsidized housing. This step is expected to address bureaucratic challenges and expedite the implementation of subsidized housing on the ground.
Heru added that the distribution of subsidized housing will focus on potential industrial areas, both in Java and outside Java. This strategy is crucial because most workers live near industrial centers, making access to subsidized housing easier. With a region-based approach, workers not only receive decent housing but also live close to their workplaces. This will help reduce transportation costs, increase productivity, and enhance their quality of life.
This expansion of the subsidized housing quota demonstrates that the government views workers’ welfare not only in terms of wages or job protection, but also from a broader socio-economic perspective. A home is the foundation of a healthy and productive family. Homeownership allows workers to experience greater stability, reduce financial anxiety, and build a more secure family future.
Furthermore, the positive impact of this program will be felt in multiple ways. First, workers gain access to decent, affordable housing. Second, the national housing sector receives a significant boost to growth, creating a multiplier effect on the economy through the absorption of construction labor, increased demand for building materials, and the development of new, more productive areas. Third, at a macro level, this program strengthens social foundations by reducing the housing gap between workers and the upper middle class.
The government’s policy of expanding the subsidized housing quota for workers is a clear demonstration of the state’s commitment to providing social protection. This initiative aligns with the principle of inclusive development, which states that no group of people is left behind in benefiting from the fruits of development. Workers, as the backbone of industry and the national economy, have the right to decent welfare through the fulfillment of their basic needs.
Now, the remaining challenge is ensuring the program’s implementation is timely, on-target, and sustainable. Synergy between ministries, local governments, banks, and developers is key to ensuring the subsidized housing program truly benefits workers. Transparency and accountability must also be maintained to maintain public trust in the program.
Ultimately, workers’ well-being is the nation’s well-being. The government has taken a strategic step by expanding the subsidized housing quota, and this measure deserves full support from all elements of society. Subsidized housing is not just about housing, but also about dignity, hope, and a better future for millions of working families in Indonesia.
It’s time for us all to actively participate in supporting this program. With unity and commitment, subsidized housing will become a tangible symbol that the government is committed to fighting for workers’ welfare. Let us fully support this government initiative to achieve fairer, more equitable, and sustainable worker welfare.
(* The author is a labor observer
