Post by : Shakul

The government of Indonesia has disbursed Rp11 trillion (more than US$650 million) in Eid al‑Fitr holiday bonuses for state workers from its Rp55 trillion (US$3.2 billion) allocation for the festive season, officials said Tuesday.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa told reporters in Jakarta that the Ministry of Finance has prepared the full budget for religious allowances, commonly referred to as Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR), and rejected suggestions that delays were due to budget shortages. “The budget is already prepared,” he said, adding that some institutions may not have submitted the necessary proposals yet.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto earlier outlined the government’s Eid bonus plan, which includes Rp55 trillion for civil servants, contract‑based government workers, soldiers, police officers and pensioners — a nearly 10% increase from the Rp49 trillion allocated last year.

Hartarto noted that disbursements began on Feb. 26 and are expected to complete one week before Eid al‑Fitr. Of the total, around Rp22.2 trillion is allocated for central government staff and military personnel; Rp20.2 trillion for local government workers; and Rp12.7 trillion for pensioners.

According to government guidelines, THR payments include base salary, family and food allowances, positional and performance bonuses in line with national regulation.

Officials also highlighted mandatory Eid payments for the private sector, with companies required to pay THR in full no later than seven days before Eid without installments. Total private‑sector Eid bonuses are estimated at Rp124 trillion (around US$7.3 billion), covering some 26.5 million workers registered with state social insurer BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

The government has additionally ordered online taxi firms to distribute around Rp220 billion (about US$13 million) in Eid bonuses for roughly 850,000 drivers, aiming to maintain purchasing power ahead of the holiday.

The national THR policy is part of wider stimulus measures to support consumer spending and boost Indonesia’s economic activity during the Eid season.

#Lifestyle #Indonesia News #festival