Ministry of Manpower Opens Registration for 2026 Beginner Independent Worker Assistance

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) has opened registration for the 2026 Beginner Independent Worker (TKM Pemula) assistance as part of efforts to broaden employment opportunities and encourage the growth of new entrepreneurs in various regions. Acting Director General of Placement and Expansion of Employment Opportunities Development (Binapenta and PKK) at Kemnaker, Estiarty Haryani, stated that the TKM Pemula programme is designed to help the public build productive and sustainable independent businesses. “The TKM Pemula programme is one of the government’s concrete steps in encouraging the growth of new entrepreneurs and opening wider employment opportunities for the public,” said Estiarty in her statement in Jakarta on Thursday. She explained that registration for the 2026 TKM Pemula assistance is open until 17 May 2026 through the SIAPkerja and Bizhub platforms. The public who meet the requirements can immediately complete the documents and register online. The requirements for assistance recipients include Indonesian citizens (WNI) domiciled in Indonesia, aged at least 18 years and at most 64 years, and possessing a KTP or e-KTP. In one family card (KK), assistance can only be received by one family member. In addition, applicants must not be pursuing equivalent SMA/SMK or equivalent education, not be civil servants (ASN), members of TNI, Polri, or ASN retirees, and not be bound by employment relationships with either the government or the private sector. Participants must also not have previously received TKM Pemula or TKM Advanced assistance from the Ministry of Manpower and must not be receiving assistance from the Ministry of Manpower’s Employment Expansion programme in the current year. Other requirements include that participants must have a vocational training certificate issued by UPTP/UPTD in the vocational training field or an entrepreneurship service certificate issued by UPTP in the Employment Expansion field. Participants must also have a business idea or business proven by a business certificate (SKU) issued by the sub-district/village or a business identification number (NIB), accompanied by photos of the business location or activities. Additionally, applicants must have a SIAPkerja account. In the programme, Kemnaker provides assistance of Rp5 million per person, which can be used for purchasing business equipment and/or raw materials according to the proposed business field. The developable business sectors include agriculture, livestock, fisheries and marine, catering services, creative economy, goods trade, to individual services. The entire registration and assistance application process is conducted digitally through the SIAPkerja and Bizhub platforms without any fees. After the registration period closes, Kemnaker will conduct administrative selection, business substance assessment, and interviews to ensure the eligibility of prospective assistance recipients. The selection results will then be announced through the Bizhub platform.