President Asks Vulnerable Workers To Be Protected From Global Uncertainty

Abraham Wirotomo/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed his staff to ensure that vulnerable workers are protected from the impact of global economic uncertainty.

"The President does not want vulnerable workers such as farmers, fishermen, non-state civil servants (ASN), and temporary workers to fall into extreme poverty due to the current economic conditions," said Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Abraham Wirotomo in a press release. KSP received in Jakarta, Wednesday 8 June.

Therefore, according to him, the government continues to optimize services from the BPJS Employment program to provide protection for vulnerable workers.

"Uncertainty in the world economy after the COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge for many countries, including Indonesia. The government is working hard to be able to provide social security to workers, especially those who fall into the category of vulnerable workers," he said.

According to him, social security for workers is one of the characteristics of the social welfare system in developed countries.

"Social Security is increasingly important because in 2045, Indonesia will face an aging population, where the ratio of productive age is less like in Japan," he said.

To ensure that the program for optimizing the implementation of employment social security runs, KSP together with the Cabinet Secretariat and the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture continue to carry out monitoring and evaluation in various regions.

"Like today we are in Semarang. As a result of our supervision, BPJS Employment in Central Java has paid claims of Rp 1.5 trillion and served 172 thousand cases. This achievement must be accompanied by an increase in membership," said Abraham.

Previously, Deputy II of the Presidential Chief of Staff, Abetnego Tarigan, invited workers who have a high risk of working or are vulnerable workers to become BPJS Employment participants because it has been proven to provide benefits for working families, especially those who fall into the category of vulnerable workers. avoiding the heirs of workers falling into poverty. Zero extreme poverty is our common hope," he said. In addition, he also reminded that optimizing BPJS Employment participation for vulnerable and non-ASN workers is also the responsibility of each local government. This refers to Permendagri No. 27/2021 which regulates Jamsostek budgeting for the protection of non-ASN workers, election organizers, vulnerable workers, to workers in BUMD throughout Indonesia. The budget is there. The regional government must be an example before asking business actors to register their workers with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan,” said Abetnego.