Textile and textile product (TPT) entrepreneurs are still under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on research from the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo), entrepreneurs in this sector are asking for holiday allowances (THR) to be paid in installments. It is the same as in 2020.

In January 2021, Apindo conducted research on 600 of its members. The result is that around 200 entrepreneurs or it seems that they are not able to maintain their business. Then 60% found it difficult to pay bank debt installments, and 44% of their turnover fell by more than 50%.

The head of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Hariyadi Sukamdani also conveyed the wishes of national textile entrepreneurs during the Indonesia Macroeconomic Update 2021 webinar. In the event there was the Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF) of the Ministry of Finance Febrio Kacaribu.

"Because they are a sector that yesterday when we confirmed they asked for THR payments in installments like last year," said Hariyadi.

Hariyadi said that up to now the textile sector has started to rise from the pressure, as well as the food and beverage industry (mamin) in the country.

"But they (textile and textile product entrepreneurs) still have optimism in the second quarter or second semester, hopefully it will be better. But for THR they are still experiencing difficulties, "he explained.

Meanwhile, the government, through the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, emphasized that employers are required to pay THR in full to employees. Lately there has been a debate regarding the payment of THR between installments or being paid in full.

"The government obliges friends from companies, private businesses to pay the full THR for their employees in Ramadan this year," said Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moegiarso.

Last year's Eid, the government through the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) allowed employers to pay THR in installments. However, Susi emphasized that this year, she must pay in full.

The man who is also Executive Secretary II of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and Economic Recovery (KPCPEN) explained that THR must be paid in full because the government during the pandemic had provided various incentives for entrepreneurs.

The incentives are given, namely PPnBM borne by the government for the automotive industry. This led to a 143% increase in car sales in March compared to the previous month.

Then the VAT incentive is borne by the government for property or housing. This boosted sales in March by 10% for the MBR segment, 20% for the middle segment, and 10% for the high segment.

Other incentives given to entrepreneurs are credit restructuring and credit guarantees. One of the incentives is given so that employers have the ability to pay their employees' THR.