Indonesia subsidises workers to raise purchasing power amid pandemic

A volunteer is seen handing out free face masks at Gelora Bung Karno stadium during a campaign to promote their use amid the Covid-19 pandemic in Jakarta on Sunday (August 30, 2020.) - AFP

JAKARTA, Aug 30 (Xinhua): The Indonesian government has again issued a policy as part of efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic by providing subsidies to workers whose salaries are under five million rupiahs (US$341.99) to raise their purchasing power.

President Joko Widodo on Thursday launched subsidies for 15.7 million workers who are registered in the public social security agency for employment (locally known as BPJS Ketenagakerjaan).