Ekraf Staff Efforts Yovie Widianto Provide Protection To Creative Workers

Yovie Widianto, Staff of the Economy Division, strengthens synergy between institutions and creative workers (Doc. SKP Ekraf)

JAKARTA - Musician and composer Yovie Widianto continued his duties as the Presidential Special Staff for Creative Economy by initiating meetings of creative workers and ministries and institutions. There is an important agenda that is expected to have a positive impact on creative economy actors.

The meeting which took place on Thursday, March 6 at the Main Building of Lt. 3, the Ministry of State Secretariat discussed strategic steps to encourage inter-institutional synergy to strengthen protection for creative workers.

In the forum, he emphasized the importance of protecting creative fighters and the urgency to increase the benefits of the employment social security program for the creative economy industry. It is time for the state to be present in protecting Indonesia's creative talents.

"The creative economy has a big contribution to the national economy, but the perpetrators still face great challenges in terms of employment protection. Therefore, the synergy between the government and other stakeholders is very important to do," said Yovie Widianto, Presidential Special Staff for Creative Economy in a press release received by VOI, March 7.

As part of the state's commitment to protecting creative workers, social security benefits have previously been provided from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. In 2021, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan provided protection for the Employment social security program and scholarship assistance to the heirs of musician Arry Syafff (vocalist group band Cockpit) who died after battling stomach disease.

In addition to the death insurance (JKM) and Old Age Security (JHT) benefits, which amounted to tens of millions, the deceased also benefited from Pension Security (JP) which will be given regularly every month. Meanwhile, scholarship assistance to two deceased children until they graduate from college. Then the wife of the late Anwar Tess, a senior musician, has received death insurance compensation (JKM). This benefit was also obtained by the son or brother of the late Deddie Rosman, who is also a senior musician.

Until now, the protection of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan has also been followed by RAN, HIVI!, Kahitna, Maliq & D Essentials, Melly Goeslaw, and many more. Now you can register through the website, application, and come to the branch office. The most important thing is awareness of creative workers to be able to pay monthly contributions on a sustainable basis to remain protected," said Deny Yus Yulian, Head of the DKI Jakarta BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Regional Office.

The creative worker representative, Ario Bayu, who is a well-known Indonesian actor, also expressed his views in this meeting. "We creative fighters need more real protection in the form of social security that is in accordance with our dynamic working conditions. With this synergy, we hope that the welfare and sustainability of our profession will be guaranteed," said Aryo Bayu.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Media and Creative Industry Workers Union for Democracy (SINDICATION), Ikhsan Raharjo, who was present at this event appreciated the steps taken by the Presidential Special Staff for Creative Economy, Yovie Widianto, who accelerated the protection of creative fighters. According to Ikhsan, for the past ten years the state has not been fully present to assist creative workers.

"With the ease of registration, it's not a wage recipient, one thing is positive, but it's not enough to increase the number of creative workers who are mostly freelancers or the informal sector. It can't be sustainable if you rely on creative workers' initiatives because they like to forget to pay dues independently. We have tested the last 3 years using the Collective Work Agreement (PKB) so that employers want to pay the contributions," said Ikhsan. Until now, SYNDICATION already has 2 PKB, with a total of 200 creative workers.

Yovie hopes that this meeting will result in concrete steps to increase social security for creative fighters and ensure the sustainability of their welfare. With the strong synergy between the government, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, as well as the creative industry, creative workers can work more calmly and productively.