Companies To Get Sanction For Not Paying Eid Allowance: Minister

Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, June 26 (Antara) -- Companies that do not pay their workers Eid allowance will be given administrative sanctions, Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri said here on Friday. "Companies that do not pay THR (Eid allowance) to their workers will certainly be given sanctions such as postponement of administrative services. The government will not serve the companies concerned," he stated. According to a regulation, Dhakiri added, companies are required to pay Eid allowance at least a week ahead of the festival. "Although the allowance must be paid by July 10 at the latest, or a week before Eid, I appeal to them (companies) to pay it as soon as they can, or at least two weeks before Eid," he emphasized during a visit to the Manpower and Social Affairs Office. The minister further noted that he had made the appeal so workers who wished to celebrate Eid could meet their needs for the festival. If the THR is paid earlier, it can be used, for example, to buy tickets for transportation, for household needs or other requirements, Dhakiri explained. He also pointed out that the THR issue had always been under public scrutiny because companies often pay it late or close to Eid. Sometimes, they even reduce the amount or suspend it entirely. This is why employees are often uncertain about being given the allowance. Therefore, Dhakiri affirmed that he has tried to intervene and find a way to push companies that are proven unable to pay the allowance.