Uncertainty Remains Over Idul Fitri Collective Leave

The fate of a joint ministerial decree on collective leave during the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday is up in the air. Employers are protesting the decree as the collective leave period is deemed too long.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

People line up for Transjakarta buses after shopping around Blok B at Tanah Abang Market in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (1/5/2018). On a public holiday, thousands of people flocked to the market to buy clothing and resell them ahead of Lebaran at higher prices. They were not only from Greater Jakarta but also other cities.

The fate of a joint ministerial decree (SKB) on collective leave during the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday at the end of the Ramadhan fasting month is up in the air. Employers are protesting the decree as the collective leave period is deemed too long.

At first, three ministers issued an SKB on September 22 last year, declaring Idul Fitri collective leave on June 13, 14, 18 and 19. Idul Fitri is expected to fall on June 15 and 16. The three ministers were Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Asman Abnur, Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri and Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin.

Later, the SKB issued last year was revised. The collective leave period was extended to seven days, namely on June 11-14 and June 18-20. The revision was announced by the three ministers and Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani on Wednesday (18/4/2018). In a number of regions, including in West Java, Central Java and East Java, June 27 will also be a holiday due to regional elections.

The additional collective leave days then became a source of debate. Some employees are happy to get additional vacation days and have purchased holiday travel tickets accordingly. However, some employers have criticized the decision due to it being announced suddenly and because it was too lengthy. Many fear that such a prolonged holiday period will disrupt productivity. Indonesia Stock Exchange president director Tito Sulistio was among those who complained about the prolonged Idul Fitri collective leave period, especially as the rupiah and the stock market are fluctuating.

As a result, the decision is currently in limbo and the government has promised to deliberate the issue further. Politicians in the opposition are using this to criticize President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration. “Poor President Jokowi,” said one politician. Now, the SKB will have to be turned into a presidential decree, which has yet to be issued. This is not the first time such  brouhaha has occurred. Many policies or decisions have been revised after receiving public criticism.

If this pattern continues, the administration’s credibility will be undermined. Ministers should have carried out risk management before issuing any decree. In-depth analysis involving multiple perspectives must be done to ensure that decrees will be accepted by the public. There must be rational and sensible explanations on why decisions are made.

A long collective leave period before Idul Fitri will help manage the holiday exodus. The exodus will not pile up on one or two days and traffic will flow better. On the other hand, however, a prolonged collective leave period may disrupt productivity. President Jokowi has reminded everyone time and time again to increase productivity through his jargon of “work, work and work!”

Amid this confusion, we urged the government to have more confidence in itself. The concerns shared by employers and bankers must be responded to find a solution. There must be a sense of certainty, based on whether the government wants to adhere to the SKB issued in 2017 or to issue a new one. Do not take too long to make decisions as the people need certainty!