BGN Ensures BPJS Employment Protection for SPPG Volunteers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Khairul Hidayati, emphasised the importance of protection guarantees for volunteers and workers in the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) to strengthen the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.

According to her, volunteers and SPPG personnel play a vital role in implementing the programme as they are on the front lines of service and carry out daily operational activities with a fairly high level of work risk.

“In accordance with BGN Head’s Decree Number 401.1 of 2025, every foundation is obliged to ensure BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage for employees and volunteers,” said Hida in an official statement on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

Hida added that the operational cost of Rp 3,000 paid on a cost basis can also be used to fund BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participation for volunteers.

“The operational cost of Rp 3,000 currently paid on a cost basis is one of the uses for paying BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participation for volunteers,” she said.

“Therefore, this is essentially their right. Thus, all volunteers/employees in SPPG are entitled to work accident protection and health insurance,” she added.

Through cooperation between BGN and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, SPPG workers are said to receive various forms of protection, from work accident insurance, death benefits, compensation, healthcare services, to educational scholarships for children.

Hida stressed that labour protection is not only part of administrative policy but also a strategy to maintain the quality of the MBG programme’s services nationwide.

“When workers feel safe and protected, the quality of services will also improve, and ultimately the programme’s sustainability will be better maintained,” she said.

Hida hopes that South Sulawesi can become an example in building safe, orderly, professional, and sustainable SPPG governance.

According to her, the MBG programme is not merely a food distribution programme, but a long-term investment to improve the quality of the nation’s generation.

“The success of the programme is ultimately not only measured by the amount of food distributed, but by how safely and qualitatively the programme is implemented,” she concluded.