Jakarta, March 3 -- Indonesia has allocated Rp55 trillion (US$3.2 billion) for Eid al-Fitr bonuses for state workers, a 10 percent increase from last year, as the government moves to bolster household spending during the holiday period.

Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said Tuesday the allocation rose from Rp49 trillion (US$2.9 billion) a year earlier. Disbursements began Feb. 26 and will be completed no later than one week before Eid.

The payments cover civil servants, contract-based government employees, members of the armed forces and police, and pensioners, according to Hartarto, speaking at a press conference in Jakarta.

About Rp22.2 trillion is earmarked for 2.4 million central government employees, inclu...