The North Maluku Provincial Government continues to demonstrate its\ncommitment to improving public welfare, particularly for vulnerable\nworkers. Marking the province\u2019s 27th anniversary, Governor Sherly\nTjoanda reiterated that commitment.<\/p>\n
The initiative provides employment social-security protection to\n19,000 vulnerable workers, with all contributions covered by the\nRegional Budget (APBD).<\/p>\n
In keeping with the anniversary theme, \u2018Growth Must Be Felt\u2019, the\noccasion is a chance to ensure that the benefits of regional development\nare also experienced by working people. One way this is being done is\nthrough employment social-security protection, which provides workers\nand their families with security against a range of socio-economic\nrisks.<\/p>\n
This year, the coverage is focused on agricultural workers, whose\nrole is important in supporting the regional economy. They are covered\nby two BPJS Employment programmes: Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and\nDeath Insurance (JKM).<\/p>\n
Governor Sherly Tjoanda symbolically handed over membership cards\nalongside BPJS Employment President Director Saiful Hidayat during the\nprovince\u2019s anniversary celebrations at the grounds of the Shafful\nKhairaat Grand Mosque in Sofifi on Monday (12 October).<\/p>\n
Previously, Sherly said employment social security was not merely a\nformal programme, but a key safety net for workers\u2019 futures and regional\neconomic stability.<\/p>\n
Sherly reiterated her commitment to expanding protection towards\nUniversal Employment Social Security Coverage (UCJ). The effort involves\nencouraging all levels of regional government and the private sector to\nensure that more workers are covered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not the best yet, but we improve every year. We have not\nreached the target, but we are moving towards it,\u201d Sherly said in a\nwritten statement on Monday (12 October 2026).<\/p>\n
Sherly also instructed the relevant agencies and called on industry\nand private-sector businesses to ensure all workers receive BPJS\nEmployment coverage.<\/p>\n
BPJS Employment President Director Saiful Hidayat expressed his\nappreciation to Sherly and North Maluku Deputy Governor Sarbin Sehe for\ntheir commitment to broadening employment social-security protection for\nthe public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis shows how the state is present through the provincial\ngovernment and BPJS Employment in protecting vulnerable workers in\nagriculture, fisheries, among fishers and in other sectors,\u201d Saiful\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Saiful said the 19,000 agricultural workers were part of more than\n92,000 vulnerable workers already covered across North Maluku. He hoped\ncoverage would continue to expand so that more workers had a safety net\nwhen facing socio-economic risks.<\/p>\n
By September 2026, BPJS Employment had paid Rp124 billion in benefits\nacross more than 15,000 claims in North Maluku. These payments help\nworkers and their families cope with risks, while also supporting\npurchasing power and stimulating the regional economy.<\/p>\n
Saiful added that BPJS Employment not only provides protection when\nrisks arise, but also promotes economic self-reliance among participants\nand their beneficiaries through its Economic Empowerment and Beneficiary\nSelf-Reliance Programme (PEKA), in collaboration with vocational\ntraining centres and various relevant institutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hope is that the benefits they receive will not be spent only on\nconsumption, but will become capital enabling them to move forward by\nstarting a business,\u201d Saiful said.<\/p>\n
One beneficiary is Jani, who has developed Calysta Bakery. Through\nPEKA, she received training in baking, product packaging and financial\nliteracy to help her business grow sustainably.<\/p>\n
According to Saiful, this empowerment initiative also aligns with the\nNorth Maluku Provincial Government\u2019s support for small businesses\nthrough the People\u2019s Business Credit (KUR) facility.<\/p>\n
Saiful also praised the provincial government\u2019s efforts to strengthen\nworker protection through the issuance of a Governor\u2019s Regulation. The\nregulation is expected to encourage companies to ensure that all their\nworkers, including those in business ecosystems, receive employment\nsocial-security coverage.<\/p>\n
Alongside coverage for company employees, Saiful called on businesses\nto use their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to help\nprotect vulnerable workers in surrounding communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will help North Maluku achieve Universal Employment Social\nSecurity Coverage soon. It should not rely only on the regional budget,\nbut also encourage employers and companies\u2019 CSR programmes to protect\nvulnerable workers,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/north-malukus-27th-anniversary-sherly-tjoanda-reaffirms-commitment-to-protect-vulnerable-workers-1791802393", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }