West Java Government Expands BPJS Employment Coverage for Informal Workers
The West Java Provincial Government (Pemprov Jabar) is striving to expand the scope of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan protection, particularly for informal and vulnerable workers. The Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi (KDM), stated that the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan programme provides tangible benefits for citizens who experience work-related accidents.
This was conveyed by KDM after attending the ‘Appreciation of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Beneficiaries’ event at Bale Gede Pakuan, Pakuan Building, Bandung. During the event, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, alongside the West Java Provincial Government, distributed benefits to 1,515 participants, with a total benefit value reaching IDR 49.3 billion.
He cited the example of a construction worker who passed away after undergoing hospital treatment. All medical costs were covered by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, and the family received a compensation payment of IDR 42 million.
“I met a man again who was involved in an accident after being run over by a container; his hospital costs amounted to IDR 442 million, all of which were paid by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, plus a monthly allowance of IDR 1 million while he was unable to work following his hospital discharge,” KDM said in a written statement on Friday (19/06/2026).
According to KDM, these stories serve as evidence that the employment social security programme (jamsostek) plays a vital role in maintaining the economic resilience of workers’ families when facing occupational risks.
The West Java Provincial Government will continue to increase the number of workers receiving BPJS Ketenagakerjaan protection in accordance with the region’s financial capacity.
This effort will be carried out through synergy between the provincial government, regency/city governments, and village governments.
“For example, this year we are covering IDR 1 million; hopefully, in the future, it can be IDR 2 million or IDR 3 million. Ideally, it could even reach IDR 10 million,” said KDM.
KDM also believes that broader protection for vulnerable workers can serve as an instrument to reduce poverty rates in West Java.
“If all the people of West Java—excluding the military, police, SOE employees, and civil servants—who are not currently covered by employment insurance are protected, then there will be no more poverty in West Java,” KDM added.
KDM emphasised that the expansion of membership will focus on the informal sector, which has not yet fully received social security protection.
“While BPJS Kesehatan (Health Insurance) is already a statutory obligation, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is not yet a mandatory requirement under the law,” KDM asserted.
“Therefore, we will focus our efforts on those who are not yet legally mandated to be covered,” he continued.
Meanwhile, the Director of Human Capital and General Affairs at BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Harjono Siswanto, appreciated the West Java Provincial Government’s steps to expand Universal Coverage for Social Security (UCJ).
According to Harjono, the programme implemented by West Java could serve as a model for other regions in Indonesia.
Harjono stated that BPJS Ketenagakerjaan will continue to strengthen collaboration with local governments to expand protection for vulnerable and informal workers, including through financial support from regional governments.
“We continue to collaborate and synergise between the provincial government, regency/city governments, and the local branches of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to expand worker protection, including through subsidies from regional governments,” said Harjono.
Harjono is optimistic that the best practices implemented by the West Java Provincial Government can be replicated in various regions, ensuring more Indonesian workers receive social security protection.