Collaborating With BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, PSSI Provides Social Security Protection For Referees

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Employment) have agreed to provide employment social security protection to all referees who serve in Leagues 1 and 2.

This collaboration was realized through the submission of membership cards by the Main Director of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Anggoro Eko Cahyo together with the General Chair of PSSI Erick Thohir to the referee representatives, a total of 353 people.

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir said that in every football match, the referee always plays an important role in directing the course of a match.

However, despite their vital and risky duties, the protection and well-being of green-field judges often go unnoticed.

Erick said, these conditions prompted PSSI to provide employment social security protection to all referees who served in League 1 and League 2.

"Referees are indeed my concern in efforts to build clean Indonesian football. Therefore, in this first stage, the welfare factor is crucial by making the referee part of the BPJS employment participants," he said in Jakarta, Thursday, April 13.

"Although the main welfare for referees is obtained while on duty in the field, with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan as part of social protection, at least our referees can be protected if they experience the risk of work accidents or die so they can lighten their burden," he continued.

The same thing was said by the Main Director of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Anggoro Eko Cahyo. Anggoro said, all workers have constitutional rights to protection.

Therefore, he continued, the state is always present to ensure that this has been implemented properly.

“Of course, this is a breath of fresh air for the world of national football. Because we saw from the start that Pak Erick's commitment as chairman of the new PSSI really wanted the welfare of football players and referees," said Anggoro.

Anggoro said this step was proof that the state was here to protect all citizens, especially workers.

Moreover, the profession of a referee is very prone to work accidents both on and off the field.

"So naturally they need social security protection from BPJS Employment," said Anggoro.

The protection provided by Employment BPJS consists of two programs, namely Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and Death Insurance (JKM).

In this way, the referees will be protected from the risk of work accidents from the time they leave for the field, when they lead the match, until they return home.

Unmitigated, if an accident occurs, all costs of treatment will be borne by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan until they recover and can return to work.

If during the treatment and recovery period, the referee is unable to work, BPJS Employment will also pay 100 percent of his wages for a year and then 50 percent until he recovers.

However, if the accident results in permanent total disability, then the benefits that will be given are 56 times the wages reported, plus periodic compensation of IDR 12 million.

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan also provides homecare facilities with a maximum of IDR 20 million for a period of 1 year.

Apart from that, there are many other benefits, including if the referee dies while at work, his family will receive compensation equal to 48 times his wages, whereas if his death is not due to a work accident, the compensation given is IDR 42 million.

The continuity of children's education is also guaranteed because Employment BPJS provides scholarships for 2 children, starting from elementary to tertiary education with a maximum amount of IDR 174 million.

Not only the referee, but this momentum is also the first step in an effort to increase welfare for the entire Indonesian football ecosystem as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties.

In the future, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and PSSI agree to oblige sports actors, associations, leagues, clubs, officials, players, and football fans to be protected by the employment social security program.

"We invite the football ecosystem because currently, we see there are 400,000 people in the football ecosystem, not only players, but also coaches, referees, supporters, and also children participating in talent schools. So we also invite them so that if there is a risk, the family can be calm and the players can focus on training. Because this focus can improve performance,“ he said.

Anggoro hopes that this collaboration will become an inspiration for other sports, because there are still many sports athletes in Indonesia who have not been protected because they do not understand the benefits of social security protection and this is the constitutional right of every worker.

"Hopefully our joint efforts can improve the welfare of the referees and all other workers in the PSSI ecosystem, so that they can work hard worry-free and will indirectly have an impact on improving the quality of Indonesian football," concluded Anggoro.