VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (wikipedia)

The Indonesian government is optimistic that the economic stimulus it has offered to the real sector would be able to lessen the number of laid-off workers.

"We are upbeat that the granting of stimulus, including exempting manufacturing workers from income tax payment (PPh 21) for six months, will prevent layoffs," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto noted during a press conference here on Wednesday.

He projected the fiscal impact of the decision to exempt workers from income tax payment to reach an estimated Rp15.7 trillion.

The government’s several facilities offered to the real sector will ease the burden of the business world, and it will strive as far as possible to avoid laying off workers.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati vouched to continue to monitor the realization of several incentives offered to the business world, including the relaxation of bank credits.

The government is keen to ensure that the incentives will help the business world to withstand the current situation and refrain from laying off workers. (ANTARA)