Deputy Chairman of the East Java DPRD Urges Firm Sanctions for Companies Failing to Pay Holiday Allowance (THR)

The DPRD Affirms THR as Workers’ Right, Not a Bonus

SURABAYA - The issue of Religious Holiday Allowance (THR) between workers and employers has once again come under the spotlight ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri/2026.

Deputy Chairman of the East Java DPRD, Deni Wicaksono, emphasized that THR is a corporate obligation that must be fulfilled for workers.

Based on data from the Religious THR Monitoring Post of the East Java Manpower and Transmigration Agency (Disnakertrans) as of Saturday (March 14, 2026), 20 complaints were recorded from workers. Of these, 11 cases are still being processed, while 9 have been resolved.

"To clarify, THR is not a bonus, but an obligation of employers to workers that must be fulfilled proportionally,” Deni stated.

The DPRD Calls for Firm Sanctions Against Violators

Deni urged the local government to impose strict sanctions on companies that fail to comply with THR payment obligations in accordance with prevailing regulations.

He emphasized that supervision will continue until the final deadline for THR payments.

"If violations are found, the DPRD will push the East Java Provincial Government to take decisive action. We will wait until the deadline. If the obligation is not fulfilled, we will urge the provincial government to take decisive measures,” he affirmed.

As a people's representative, he also stated that he would coordinate with the Manpower Agency and related stakeholders to ensure that all workers receive their entitlements before Eid al-Fitr.

"We will conduct joint supervision to ensure that no worker is deprived of their rights,” he added.

Recurring THR Violations Persist, Workers Demand Firm Sanctions

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Metal Workers’ Federation (FSPMI) revealed that violations related to Religious Holiday Allowance (THR) continue to occur annually with recurring patterns.

Nuruddin Hidayat, a board member of the East Java Regional Executive Council of FSPMI, stated that there are at least six common types of violations. These include non-payment of THR, partial payment, delayed payment, installment-based payment, and even layoffs ahead of Eid.

In 2025, a total of 56 reports involving 1,811 workers were recorded at the THR complaint post established by FSPMI in collaboration with the Legal Aid Institute of Surabaya. This figure increased compared to 2024, which recorded 24 complaints involving 1,203 workers.

The regions of Mojokerto, Gresik, and Sidoarjo were identified as areas with the highest rates of THR violations in East Java.