BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and UIN Jakarta Forge Partnership to Protect Academic Community

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan continues to broaden the reach of social security protection in the higher education sector. This strategic move was realised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, covering the implementation of education, research, and community service related to the employment social security programme. The signing was carried out directly by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan’s Director of Human Capital and General Affairs, Harjono Siswanto, together with the Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, at the UIN Jakarta Campus Building on Tuesday (30/6). Harjono Siswanto explained that this collaboration serves as an important foundation for synergising the social security programme with the academic world. According to him, universities are strategic partners in instilling an understanding of workers’ rights from an early stage. “Higher education institutions have a crucial role in producing excellent, work-ready human resources. We view universities as partners for instilling understanding about worker protection through the employment social security programme,” said Harjono. This partnership does not only focus on the administrative aspects of protection but also opens up broad opportunities for scientific development. Both parties agreed to collaborate on research, joint study assessments, and the development of an employment social security curriculum. UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta itself has been committed to protecting its workers since November 2019. Harjono stressed the importance of protection for students undertaking activities off campus, such as internships, research, or community service programmes (KKN). He recalled the work accident incidents that befell a vocational high school student in Ngabang and a UGM student while carrying out academic duties as proof that work risks can affect anyone. “The presence of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is to ensure the state is present to provide protection when that risk occurs. Compensation does not replace loss, but it can ease the burden on the family,” he asserted. Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, welcomed this synergy positively. He assessed that the potential for collaboration is vast, considering UIN Jakarta has a variety of faculties, ranging from health to science and technology. “This partnership not only covers lecturers and education staff but also opens opportunities for students and the entire academic community to receive protection benefits and strengthened social security literacy,” concluded Prof. Asep.