BPJS-TK Provides Entrepreneurship Training for Heirs of Deceased Participants in Banyuwangi

Heirs receiving benefits from the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Death Security programme in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, are being provided with entrepreneurship training in addition to compensation, ensuring they can maintain an income for their family’s welfare. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan President Director Saiful Hidayat stated that the training, packaged under the Economic Empowerment and Independence for Beneficiaries (PEKA) programme, is an effort to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit among the beneficiaries’ heirs. ‘We want to ensure they not only receive compensation but also gain skills, knowledge, and mentoring so they can live better and become productive again,’ he said during the opening of the training attended by heirs in Banyuwangi on Friday. According to Saiful, the PEKA programme is developed through a concept of training, productivity, and profit, where participants are equipped with skills and knowledge and guided in developing a business until they are expected to earn a sustainable income for their families. ‘From this training, we are targeting 10 percent to become productive, and we will provide mentoring and connect them with other ecosystems that will help them obtain funding and manage marketing,’ he added. Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani appreciated the PEKA programme initiated by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, stating it further complements various community empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes already implemented by the local government. She cited the example of the Banyuwangi Regency Government’s ‘Warung Naik Kelas’ (Wenak) programme, which provides productive business equipment assistance to underprivileged families. ‘This BPJS programme further complements the various programmes we have created. We hope that with this programme, the people of Banyuwangi can become more empowered and prosperous,’ said Ipuk. The training was attended by around 100 heirs, comprising wives, husbands, and children of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participants who died while working. One of the PEKA programme participants, Yasrul from Klatak Village, admitted that the training could help develop the iced kopyor business his family had started. He expressed hope for additional capital to develop the ice and other culinary businesses.