During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced socioeconomic impacts, and these impacts have been felt especially hard by workers. The number of workers who have been laid off and terminated from employment (PHK) continues to grow day by day. According to data from the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, as of August 2020, the number had reached 9.7 million people.

On Friday, January 29, 2021, Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), together with its main partner PT. Insight Investments Management, an investment management company with a concern for social and humanitarian issues in Indonesia, held another social service event to ease the burden of communities affected by COVID-19.

This time, YIIM and PT. Insight distributed social assistance to 50 female workers who had been laid off in the Cakung Industrial Estate area, Cilincing District, North Jakarta, DKI Jakarta.

This social assistance is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Number 1 on fighting poverty and Number 2 on preventing hunger.

The assistance for female workers was provided as 50 (fifty) packages consisting of staple foods and vitamins. One staple food package consisted of 5 kg of rice, 2 liters of cooking oil, 1 kg of sugar, 1 tray of eggs, 1 can of milk, 10 vitamin tablets, and 10 packs of instant noodles.

The workers who received assistance were female workers who had been laid off due to COVID-19. Many of these female workers were the main economic providers for their families, and some were even single parents with children. After being laid off, the workers continued to struggle; most were unemployed and took on odd jobs amidst the economic difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The distribution of assistance was supported by the workers themselves. One of them was Jumisih. She expressed her hope: “I want to convey this to fellow workers affected by COVID-19. There are many workers who have been laid off, or who have been made to work on shift systems so their wages have also decreased. We are very grateful and thankful to PT. Insight and YIIM for donating to fellow workers affected by COVID-19.”

“Hopefully this pandemic will soon pass and we can soon rise from this unpleasant situation. Thank you.” Jumisih added.

Chrisbiantoro, Chair of the YIIM Board, also delivered a message to workers affected by COVID-19, urging them to remain spirited in continuing their lives amidst economic hardship. He also reminded them to always maintain their health by following all the established health protocols.

“We hope this assistance can ease the burden on workers who have experienced termination of employment. Our hope is that they do not lose spirit and continue to struggle during this pandemic. We hope these 50 staple food packages can meet the needs of our friends for the next one to two weeks.”

Representing PT. Insight, Dwi Laksmi Anggita Sari, expressed her hope that the workers would always be given health and that the assistance provided could ease their burden during the COVID pandemic.

Salam Inspirasi!