BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and NU Collaborate, Targeting Protection for 80 Percent of Informal Workers

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is partnering with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to broaden employment social security protection for informal sector workers, who number around 80 percent of NU’s total members. The collaboration is being realised through synergy with the East Java Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU Jatim) as an initial step towards strengthening community-based worker protection nationwide. This commitment emerged during a silaturahim forum at the PWNU Jatim office on Friday (24/4/2026), attended by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Supervisory Board member Alif Noeriyanto Rahman, Director of Strategic Planning and Information Technology Ihsanudin, and Chairman of the Tanfidziyah PWNU Jatim, Kiai Haji Abdul Hakim Mahfudz or Gus Kikin. In the meeting, both parties discussed strategic cooperation plans, ranging from providing services such as healthcare facilities to strengthening employment social security protection for administrators and business units under PWNU. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Supervisory Board member Alif Noeriyanto Rahman explained that this initiative stems from the fact that the majority of NU members are informal workers who have not been optimally protected thus far. Alif added that the meeting’s outcomes will be promptly followed up with the signing of a cooperation agreement (PKS) between BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and PWNU Jatim. This scheme also has the potential to serve as a role model for strengthening community-based worker protection at the national level. On the same occasion, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Director of Strategic Planning and Information Technology Ihsanudin emphasised that a community-based approach is an effective strategy for reaching workers outside the formal system. According to him, NU’s network in East Java serves as a strategic entry point to accelerate the expansion of employment social security participation. Ihsanudin also linked the importance of social protection to the principles of maqashid syariah, namely safeguarding fundamental aspects of human life. Through this collaboration, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is encouraging all elements within the PWNU environment—from administrators to business actors—to register in the Work Accident Insurance (JKK), Death Benefit Insurance (JKM), Old-Age Security (JHT), Job Loss Security (JKP), and Pension Insurance (JP) programmes. These efforts are also supported by data integration and optimisation of digital channels to facilitate access to services. Chairman of the Tanfidziyah PWNU Jatim, Gus Kikin, welcomed the collaboration. He affirmed that NU, as an organisation encompassing various professions, has an important role in promoting worker protection. “NU is a large home for all professions. We hope this cooperation can provide the greatest benefits for society, especially workers,” said Abdul. In addition to expanding participation coverage, this step also reflects the state’s active role in ensuring that economic growth proceeds alongside the strengthening of the social protection system.