The Occupational Social Security Management Agency'€™s (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) labor union has criticized the government for being slow in implementing its social security program, which is slated for 2015.

According to the union'€™s chairman, Abdurrahman Irsyadi, any delays in introducing the social security program would be a blow to the country.

'€œOne sign of a nation'€™s prosperity is that its citizens are guaranteed the right to social security,'€ Abdurrahman said on Thursday.

He explained that Indonesia was in need of the social security program, even if it was introduced gradually as other countries did.

'€œThe [program'€™s] implementation can be done professionally, prudently and sustainably'€ he said, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

As of now, the government regulation draft related to the program is still under discussion.

Abdurrahman said that the introduction of the social security program was in accordance with the Constitution and Law No. 40/2004 on the national social security system (SJSN), as well as Law No.24/2011 on the BPJS.

'€œWe hope the government passes the draft into a government regulation (PP) as proof of its responsibility to the Constitution and the people,'€ said Abdurrahman.

He said Indonesia currently has huge labor potential and is expected to achieve a demographic bonus by 2030, claiming it'€™s favorable for the economy.