Bantargebang Tragedy: Heirs Receive Compensation from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan
A poignant atmosphere enveloped the Sagara Room at the Jakarta Environmental Agency on Tuesday (17/3/2026), as compensation was handed over to the heirs of victims from the landslide tragedy at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) in Bekasi City, West Java. The incident, which occurred on Sunday (8/3/2026), claimed seven lives and injured seven others, leaving deep sorrow for the victims’ families. The tragedy also serves as a stark reminder of the significant risks faced by workers in the waste management sector.
The Head of the Jakarta Environmental Agency, Asep Kuswanto, explained on that occasion that the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta has registered thousands of Public Infrastructure and Facilities Handling Workers (PJLP) in the Employment Social Security programme as a form of protection against work risks. Asep stated that the number of PJLP under the Environmental Agency exceeds 12,000, all of whom are registered as active participants. “All our PJLP at the Environmental Agency are covered under the Employment Social Security programme at BPJS Ketenagakerjaan,” said Asep.
Asep added that, in addition to PJLP, Employment Social Security protection has also reached around 4,000 scavengers in the Bantargebang TPST area, who have long been an important part of the waste management ecosystem. Asep explained that the presence of scavengers contributes to reducing the waste burden in the capital, so they need adequate protection. “More than half of the scavengers in Bantargebang are already registered, and we continue to strive to expand this protection coverage,” said Asep.
Asep assessed that the benefits of Employment Social Security are truly felt when disasters like the landslide that struck workers in Bantargebang occur. Asep explained that the compensation given to the heirs is concrete evidence of the state’s presence in providing protection for workers and their families. “We do not expect disasters to happen, but through this programme, workers have a sense of security because there is protection when risks arise,” said Asep.
On that occasion, compensation was handed over to three victims’ heirs, namely the families of Irwan Supriatin, Hardi Yanto, and Suminih. Irwan and Hardi, who were garbage truck drivers, each received Work Accident Insurance compensation of Rp391.9 million plus scholarship benefits for their children, while Suminih, as an informal worker, received compensation of Rp171.3 million. The three are heirs of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participants from the Jakarta Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Grogol, and Jakarta Buaran branch offices. According to Asep, this compensation proves the significant benefits of Employment Social Security in protecting workers from workplace accident risks.
Asep emphasised that the DKI Regional Government will continue to enhance protection efforts for workers in the waste management sector, including through disaster risk mitigation at the Bantargebang TPST. Employment Social Security protection is expected to provide peace of mind for workers so they can perform their duties more optimally. “We will continue to strive to provide the best protection for workers so they can work safely and provide the best service to the community,” said Asep.
Meanwhile, the Head of the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Jakarta Buaran Branch Office, Muhammad Ramdhoni, explained separately that Employment Social Security protection not only applies to formal workers but can also reach informal workers around the Bantargebang area. Dony conveyed that the worker ecosystem around the TPST, including scavengers, small business actors, and transportation workers, faces high work risks and needs protection. “We hope that all workers around Bantargebang, not just scavengers, can be protected by the Employment Social Security programme because risks can occur at any time,” said Dony.