Heaptalk, Jakarta — In celebration of International Workers’ Day, Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait symbolically handed over 100 keys to subsidized houses for workers at a May Day event held at Pertamina University in Jakarta on Thursday.
The initiative is part of a broader government effort to improve the welfare of laborer through access to affordable housing, with support from the government-subsidized mortgage scheme known as FLPP (Housing Finance Liquidity Facility). This year, the Ministry of Housing has allocated 20,000 subsidized housing units for laborer across the country under this program.
“Today I am symbolically handing over 100 subsidized house keys to laborers. This year, we are allocating 20,000 FLPP-subsidized houses for workers throughout Indonesia,” Maruarar stated during the event, themed “Weaving Solidarity for Workers’ Welfare and National Productivity — May Day is Collaboration Day.”
The minister emphasized that the housing initiative was made possible through inter-ministerial collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and the Ministry of Manpower, with legislative support from Commission V of the House of Representatives and operational assistance from BP Tapera, the public housing fund agency.
Maruarar, a former legislator known for his populist leanings, expressed optimism that the housing program would contribute to Indonesia’s broader economic goals. He highlighted the ongoing “3 Million Housing Program,” which seeks to accelerate housing development and renovation through innovation and public collaboration.
“We recognize that housing is a challenging sector. Innovative financing mechanisms for various income groups, including workers, are key to boosting both welfare and economic growth,” he said.
Wearing a red-and-white shirt, the minister remarked that his appearance symbolized the state’s solidarity with workers, reflecting President Prabowo Subianto’s directive that the government must serve the underprivileged — including laborers, farmers, fishermen, and other grassroots communities.
“This program is a tangible demonstration that the government is committed to providing livable and subsidized housing, and we will continue expanding this initiative,” he added.
BP Tapera Commissioner Heru Pudyo Nugroho noted that the 20,000 housing units planned for 2025 will be distributed across multiple regions, including Batang, Pasuruan, Makassar, and Palembang. Eligible workers can access the subsidized houses through the FLPP mortgage scheme, which offers low interest rates and affordable monthly payments.
“These housing units are strategically located and are accessible through a financing model tailored for workers’ income levels,” Heru said.
The May Day ceremony was attended by key government officials, including the Minister and Deputy Minister of Manpower, the head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the president director of BPJS Employment, Deputy Chair of Commission V Andi Iwan Darmawan Aras, and representatives from Pertamina’s labor unions.
