BPJS TK CEO: Perisai Programme in Makassar Worthy of Emulation

The CEO of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Saiful Hidayat, stated that the newly launched Sistem Keagenan Penggerak Jaminan Sosial Indonesia (Perisai) programme by the Makassar City Government is worthy of being a national model. “This is an extraordinary movement initiated by the Mayor of Makassar. The essence is how the city government is present to jointly improve the welfare of workers and their families,” Saiful said in Makassar on Friday. Accompanied by Mayor Munafri Arifuddin, Saiful expressed appreciation for the city government’s commitment to providing social protection for the community. He described the launch as a strategic step by the Makassar administration to expand social security coverage for workers, particularly informal workers or non-wage earners who are vulnerable to various occupational and social risks. Saiful noted that the Perisai programme is a tangible form of the state’s presence in guaranteeing the welfare of workers and their families. “The launch of the Perisai agency system is part of the Makassar Berdaya programme, one of the city government’s seven priority programmes, and it is very beneficial for the community,” he said. Saiful revealed that Makassar’s social security coverage has now surpassed the national average. The city’s Universal Coverage rate for employment social security has reached 54.33%, well above the national figure of 31%. “The hope is that this is not just a statistical figure, but proof that the state is present to ensure the survival and welfare of vulnerable workers,” he said. In addition to expanding membership, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan has also distributed significant benefits to participants in Makassar. Saiful emphasised that BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is not only focused on distributing benefits but also encourages recipients to develop their family economies independently. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan will collaborate with the Makassar City Government, Bank Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and other stakeholders to provide training and mentoring to beneficiaries. The programme includes financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and productive business development so that the funds received are not only used for consumptive needs. “Benefits received, such as the death benefit of Rp42 million, are hoped to become productive business capital to improve the welfare of the recipient’s family,” he said. Saiful also gave special appreciation to the Makassar City Government, which is considered the first region to provide complete protection to vulnerable workers through the Work Accident Insurance (JKK), Death Insurance (JKM), and Old Age Insurance (JHT) schemes.