Visit Griya Pekerja Batam, BPJS Employment Directors Listen to Workers' Complaints

JAKARTA - The President Director of BPJS Employment, Saiful Hidayat, together with the Director of Finance and Risk Management, Bambang Joko Sutarto, and the Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for People's Empowerment Andie Megantara, visited the BPJS Employment Workers' House in Batam to review the housing facilities and directly dialogue with workers who live in the area.

"We are here to witness the facilities we have prepared for the workers. In addition, the most important thing is that we also want to hear directly from some residents, regarding what the workers feel who use the Workers' House facilities," said Saiful, in a written statement, Monday, April 6.

Saiful said that the BPJS Employment Worker House is one form of support for the Three Million House Program launched by President Prabowo Subianto, in order to meet the needs of decent and affordable housing for the community, especially workers.

This program is also in line with the Asta Cita, especially in efforts to build qualified and competitive human resources, as well as improving the welfare of all Indonesian people, including the worker group.

In addition to providing accommodation at affordable rental prices, the location of Griya Pekerja which is near the industrial area provides benefits in the form of time efficiency and reduction of traffic accident risk for workers.

"It is hoped that the location of the Workers' House, which is adjacent to the workplace, can reduce the risk of traffic accidents. Because we all know that the risk of traffic accidents is also one of the high risks faced by fellow workers when they go to and from work," he added.

In Batam, BPJS Employment has presented three Worker's Griya which are located in Bumi Lancang Kuning, Muka Kuning, and Kabil. The occupancy rate reaches around 98 percent with a number of residents of around 5,000 active workers, showing the high need for decent housing in strategic industrial areas.

The existence of the Workers' House also has an economic impact on the surrounding community, especially through the growth of micro, small, and medium business (MSMEs) activities in the residential environment.

Saiful said that the Worker's House is part of the main focus of BPJS Employment which prioritizes three principles, namely Coverage, Care, and Credibility, where its presence is a tangible manifestation of concern (care) for participants.

"The Worker's House is a real contribution from BPJS Employment in supporting the government's vision to realize comprehensive welfare and protection for all Indonesian workers," he said.

Reno, a worker from Duri, recounted his experience while living in the Lancang Kuning Workers' House. According to him, the available facilities are adequate and supported by a safe environment.

"I have been living here for 8 months. The security and comfort of this Worker's House are very good, plus the rent is very affordable for me," he said.

Seeing the benefits felt, BPJS Employment is committed to continuing to develop this program so that it can reach more workers, including in Pasar Minggu DKI Jakarta, and Cikarang West Java.

"The magnitude of the benefits felt by workers is an incentive for us to continue to develop the Workers' House so that more workers can feel decent and affordable housing," concluded Saiful.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Jakarta Kelapa Gading BPJS Employment Branch Office, Ivan Sahat H. Pandjaitan, said the Worker's House in Batam was a successful pilot project that integrated social security protection with daily welfare.

"Workers who inhabit the Worker's House not only get a place to live, but also feel the presence of the state through complete social security. With a lighter housing expenditure burden, we hope that worker productivity can continue to increase," said Ivan.

He assured that BPJS Employment Jakarta Kelapa Gading is ready to collaborate with the local government and industrial area managers to realize the Workers' House, especially in the Kelapa Gading area.

"Participant satisfaction is our priority. We want to provide the best service so that participants can work calmly and comfortably for a more prosperous future," he concluded.