Minister of Forestry pushes for integration of social forestry with worker protection
The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, is encouraging the integration of social forestry with worker protection, encompassing health and employment security for communities living near forest areas.
“The Ministry of Forestry views collaboration with BPJS Kesehatan, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, the Ministry of Social Affairs, local governments, and other stakeholders as a strategic step to strengthen the social protection ecosystem for forest-adjacent communities,” the Minister stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He added that through the integration of social forestry data, field verification, the strengthening of business institutions, and improved access to healthcare services, the government hopes that communities near forest areas can derive more tangible benefits from forestry policies. He emphasised that social forestry policies are not only aimed at strengthening community access to forest management but must also serve as a gateway to improving welfare, social protection, and the quality of life for villagers near forests.
“Currently, there are approximately 1.4 million households (KK) with access to social forestry. If an average household consists of three members, that means about 4.2 million people will undergo field verification, and those meeting the poverty criteria will be proposed as recipients of the Contribution Assistance (PBI) for BPJS Kesehatan,” said Raja Antoni.
According to the Minister, this step is part of the government’s effort to ensure that communities near forest areas are not left behind in accessing basic services, including healthcare. In addition to health protection for the poor, the Minister noted that Social Forestry Business Groups (KUPS) that have grown and succeeded economically will be encouraged to ‘level up’ through the formation of stronger business institutions.
“With stronger institutions, we will also encourage them to join BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. Therefore, for the vulnerable, we will assist with access to health insurance, while for those who have developed, we will push for inclusion in employment protection,” he said.
Furthermore, the Minister explained that strengthening the business institutions of social forestry communities is vital so that these groups can manage forest economic potential more productively, sustainably, and responsibly. “Thus, social forestry will not only be a management access policy but also an instrument for economic equality and social protection for forest-adjacent communities,” Raja Antoni stated.
Minister Raja Juli Antoni added that the development of healthcare facilities within forest areas is possible through the Forest Area Utilisation Approval (PPKH) mechanism. “Healthcare facilities in forest areas are possible through the PPKH mechanism. For such needs, a proposal from the governor is sufficient. This means there is policy space that can be utilised to address the basic needs of communities near forests,” the Minister explained.