MP Proposes Funding Social Security Contributions for Poor Workers from BPJS Investments
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives Commission IX, Edy Wuryanto, has proposed that funding for social security contributions for workers in the employment insurance scheme for poor workers be sourced from the utilisation of investment returns managed by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.
According to Edy, this step represents a concrete solution to ensure that poor workers continue to receive protection under the Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and Death Benefit Insurance (JKM) without having to bear the contributions themselves.
“If calculated simply, the potential investment returns from bonds amount to around Rp37 trillion per year,” he said in Jakarta on Friday.
He further explained that the managed funds of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan currently stand at approximately Rp920 trillion, with 70 percent placed in bond instruments and an assumed average return of 6 percent per year.
Meanwhile, he continued, the required contributions to protect around 20 million poor workers are estimated at about Rp4 trillion per year, assuming JKK and JKM contributions of Rp16,800 per month.
“That means it’s more than sufficient. From Rp37 trillion, we take Rp4 trillion to protect poor workers. This does not burden the state budget but uses the results of fund management for the benefit of participant protection,” he said.
He also highlighted that the government already has a regulatory basis, including Government Regulation No. 50 of 2025 on social security for non-wage recipients, which can serve as the foundation for implementing this policy.
“Regulatorily feasible, budget-wise feasible, now it’s about policy courage. This is a matter of siding with the people,” he stated.
In addition, Edy emphasised the importance of cross-ministerial synergy, including the Ministry of Manpower, Bappenas, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Social Affairs, particularly in providing data on poor workers.
“Data on poor workers is key. If the data is ready, implementation can proceed immediately,” he said.
He urged the Minister of Manpower to take the lead in driving the policy so that social security protection can reach poor workers more broadly.