President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) rolled out subsidies to help people affected by the COVID-19. (Image via Bali Express)

Jokowi helps 2.5 million people affected by COVID-19

The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the Government would give subsidy for 2.5 million Jakarta citizens affected by the negative effect of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Moreover, the government will ensure a social safety net instrument for the citizens.

Speaking through a video conference on Thursday, Jokowi stated that the social protection and economic stimulus will be helpful for the citizens. The former governor of Jakarta admitted that he got a report from the current Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan, that there are 3.6 million residents in Jakarta that desperately need assistance from the Government.

Jakarta Government had given subsidy to 1.1 million residents. Jokowi then said that from the 3.6 million figures, cut by the Jakarta Government by 1.1 million, that means 2.5 million people need to be helped.

Furthermore, Jokowi said that the Village Fund regulated in the 2020 State Budget can be used for the social safety net program, aiming for the people living in the village.

Previously, Jokowi said that people decided to go back to their homeland earlier because their income slumped drastically in the last few months. The cause was none other than the COVID-19 outbreak on the land.

Jokowi tabulated that the majority of the income of informal workers in Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi areas (Jabodetabek) went down drastically, reaching a negative level. The Government admitted that they are partially to blame since they urge people to self-quarantine at home. The companies were urged to implement teleworking and the education institution to implement school from home.

The President behest his men to accelerate the incentive implementation for these informal workers in the form of pre-employment and staple food cards.

Source: https://bit.ly/2JyUW2Y