Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – Misrin, 32, has never received an Idul Fitri bonus (THR) since he started working as a daily-paid employee at Sina Kasih palm oil plantation in Serdang, Bedagai regency, North Sumatra, several years ago.

In addition, the father of three finds it disheartening that his wage is not enough to meet his family's daily needs.

"I only receive Rp 250,000 (US$28) every month. There is no bonus from the company, where I have been working for years. It's pitiful," said the father of three. He said his wife has had to work as a domestic in several households to supplement the family's income. Even though she only receives a small payment, Misrin hoped that by doing this his family could meet their daily needs and prepare for Idul Fitri.

"At most, my wife only earns between Rp 100,000 and Rp 150,000. This is not enough to meet Idul Fitri's demands as prices of everything have sharply increased," Misrin said.

He hoped the government would force businesses to comply with the regulation requiring them to distribute THR.

Misrin is one of 800,000 laborers working at plantation companies across North Sumatra who have not received THR for the past ten years, a Medan-based NGO disclosed.

Chairman of Pelita Sejahtera Organization Gindo Nadapdap said Thursday the workers had contacted the government to push the companies to disburse the legal bonus.

Gindo said that based on the manpower regulation, all workers, permanent workers as well as temporary ones, had the right to receive their THR.

The regulation says those who have worked at a company for at least a year will receive a bonus equivalent to their basic monthly salary, while those who work less than a year will receive one based on the company's policy.

"It is a normative regulation. The companies should obey it and give their employees what is due them," Gindo said.

Separately, North Sumatra Deputy Governor Gatot Pudjo Nugroho insisted all companies in the province, both state and privately run, must pay the allowance to their workers on time.

"We call on all companies to give their workers their THR as it is their legal right," Gatot said Thursday.

He reminded the companies how important the bonus is to their workers as they were facing skyrocketing prices on all commodities. "So, don't be late in paying the bonus. The workers really need it," he said.