BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Strengthens Synergy Between Local Governments and Regional Development Banks in Eastern Indonesia

The visit encompassed strengthening collaboration with Bank Sulselbar, a meeting with Makassar city government officials, a strategic audience with North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda Laos, and the launch of iuran payment services through Bank Maluku Malut. Bambang emphasised that successfully expanding worker protection requires close collaboration between BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, local governments, and regional banks. “We express our appreciation for the support from local governments and all regional banking partners who continue to strengthen synergy in expanding protection for workers. We also appreciate the consistent support from the Makassar city government in promoting protection for vulnerable workers and the informal sector, as well as the commitment of the North Maluku provincial government under Governor Sherly Tjoanda Laos to enhancing worker welfare through the expansion of employment social security. This collaboration is essential so that more workers, particularly in the informal sector and vulnerable workers, can access employment social security easily and sustainably,” said Bambang in a written statement on Monday (11/5/2026). The series of agendas is part of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan’s efforts to build a more inclusive, accessible, and relevant worker protection ecosystem, particularly for vulnerable workers and the informal sector who still face challenges in accessing employment social security protection. During the agenda in Makassar, Bambang was accompanied by the Head of the Sulawesi Maluku Regional Office of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Mintje Wattu. Meanwhile, continuing the agenda in Ternate, Bambang, along with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Supervisory Board members Abdurrakhman Lahabato and Ujang Romli, strengthened coordination with the North Maluku provincial government and regional banking partners. Strengthening synergy with Bank Sulselbar is a strategic step in expanding service distribution channels and worker participation. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan views regional development banks as having an important position as local partners close to the community, MSME actors, and the local economic ecosystem, so that protection expansion can reach more formal and informal workers. The agenda then continued with a meeting with Makassar’s Deputy Mayor, Aliyah Mustika Ilham, which strengthened alignment between BPJS Ketenagakerjaan’s national strategy and local government policies in improving protection for vulnerable workers and the informal sector. The highlight of the visit series took place through an audience with North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda Laos. The meeting became a strategic momentum in strengthening joint commitment to expand worker protection as part of regional development agendas and enhancing community welfare, particularly for vulnerable workers such as farmers, fishermen, informal workers, and online ojek drivers. As a concrete follow-up to this synergy strengthening, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and Bank Maluku Malut launched iuran payment services through regional banking channels. The presence of this service is expected to further facilitate the public in registering or paying iuran quickly, safely, and affordably. According to BPJS Ketenagakerjaan data up to the first week of May 2026, the Sulawesi and Maluku Regional Office has paid 137,000 participant claims worth Rp1.64 trillion and provided education scholarship benefits to 2,631 children totalling Rp12.6 billion. Concluding his visit, Bambang stated that expanding participation is not merely about increasing coverage numbers, but also about providing a sense of security and real protection for workers and their families. Through strengthening synergy with local governments and regional development banks in eastern Indonesia, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is optimistic that accelerating worker protection will be broader, more inclusive, and have a direct impact on improving worker welfare in the regions.