Mandatory BPJS for Domestic Workers: Employers Admit to Recalculating Expenses

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Several users of domestic worker services (PRT) or household assistants (ART) admit they have not yet registered their workers with BPJS Kesehatan. The reason is simple: they are accustomed to only incurring costs when the PRT falls ill, not on a monthly basis. Novi (48) stated that she has so far chosen to directly cover her PRT’s medical expenses if they get sick, without joining the BPJS programme. According to her, the monthly contribution system like BPJS increases expenses. Previously, costs were only incurred when needed, but now they must be prepared routinely every month. This requires Novi to recalculate her expenditures. Nevertheless, Novi is not opposed if PRTs are eventually required to be registered with BPJS. She is even starting to consider rearranging her expenditures. “BPJS, I can manage that. It’s just a matter of thinking about which class, the money I’ve been giving for medical treatment can be paid to BPJS. I’ll consider it,” Novi explained. Farhan (45) expressed something similar. “The PRT goes home and comes back, her home is also not far from my house. If she needs medical treatment, she handles it herself because everything is already Rp 1.5 million,” Farhan said. However, going forward, Farhan assured that he will register his PRT to have BPJS Kesehatan. “I’ll discuss it with my wife and I’ll also ask the lady working at home if she already has BPJS or not. If not, I’ll register her. If she does, I’ll just pay the monthly fee,” Farhan explained.