GOVERNMENT’S EMPLOYEE’S 13TH SALARY, EMPATHY DURING A PANDEMIC?

GAPENSI data (Combination of National construction entrepreneurs) per August 2020 when compared to December 2019, shows that more than 30% of its members are unemployed, the same thing happened in many other business sectors where many entrepreneurs have gone bankrupt and the middle low income people find it is difficult to find jobs during the pandemic, have suffered greatly economically. The indirect result of the decline in economic activity, in the end, resulted in a decrease in tax revenue, a decrease in state revenue which was originally targeted in the APBN (government budget).

The increase in unemployment occurred and it was very reasonable if the government took various economic stimulus policies, one of which was through the provision of BANSOS ( bantuan sosial= social assistance)/ BLT ( bantuan langsung tunai), or other forms of cash assistance for those with low incomes. Anomaly occurs when the issuance of Government Regulation Number 44 of 2020 which is the basis for the provision of salaries for the 13th ASN ( government employee= civil servant) to echelon 1, including leaders or non-civil servant officials at public broadcasting institutions, chairpersons and deputy heads of judicial bodies.

The government's sensitivity to the crisis is completely absent, when currently many companies reduce work days in order to reduce employee weekly costs, as happened for example at the Pullman hotel in Jalan Thamrin, Jakarta, reducing salaries for all levels of employees at several companies in the automotive sector, creative industries and so on.

Employers in private sector as most of us, really consider the results and outputs, so that employees agree even though there is a reduction in salary when the company has reduced turnover. The same is not the case with the government which provides the 13th ASN salary, amid the decline in tax revenue and less optimal government services that are still felt by the public, especially during this pandemic COVID 19.

This lack of empathy should not be allowed, but the rice has become porridge. There is only one way to treat people's resentment, the government must show seriousness at work, assertiveness in carrying out law enforcement at every level, increase professional services at all levels, ensure that the COVID pandemic will quickly pass along with the growth of people's purchasing power.

Come on ASN (civil servant= government employee), show your empathy by working properly and not talking much, you don't need to be in WA, and don't look lazy anymore, cross disputes between Ministries / Institutions, or between the central and regional governments Come on, this country needs productive ASN... 2nd of PSBB Jakarta

Bambang B Suwarso