Government pushes for Kopdes workers to receive labour protection

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is encouraging managers and workers in the Merah Putih Village/Urban Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) to obtain labour social security protection through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, in line with the upcoming operations of the cooperatives in various regions.

Cooperative Minister Ferry Juliantono stated that the Ministry of Cooperatives is collaborating with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to ensure that workers within the Kopdes Merah Putih environment receive labour social security guarantees.

“Kopdes Merah Putih provides a great many job opportunities, including for cooperative managers, from managers, security personnel, finance staff, and all direct or indirect activity units, which can obtain protection from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan,” said the Minister during the cooperation signing event in Jakarta on Monday.

On the same occasion, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan President Director Saiful Hidayat added that membership is expected to cover board members, workers, and cooperative members who have work activities in Kopdes Merah Putih.

“Yes, so definitely board members, workers, and cooperative members who have work activities. That is what we hope will receive labour protection,” he said.

However, he did not provide further details regarding the source of contributions for BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership.

In addition to BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, the Ministry of Cooperatives is also partnering with the Ministry of Population and Family Planning/National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA), and the National Standardisation Agency (BSN) to strengthen the role of cooperatives.

According to Ferry, the cooperation with BKKBN is to encourage community guidance groups to develop into cooperative business entities.

Furthermore, he mentioned that village cooperatives will have their functions expanded as community service centres, including complaint services and protection for women and children through cooperation with KemenPPPA.

In supporting business financing for cooperatives and community groups, the Minister mentioned that the Government Investment Centre (PIP), a public service agency under the Ministry of Finance, will also be involved.

Meanwhile, BSN is involved to help improve cooperative product standards so that they can compete in domestic and international markets.

“Many cooperative products require standards that will enable these products to compete well, both in the domestic market and abroad,” said the Minister.