InfoSAWIT, LUBUK SIKAPING — A total of 1,850 palm oil sector workers in Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, have officially become participants in the BPJS Employment program. This participation is funded through the allocation of Palm Oil Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH) and is a concrete step in providing social protection to informal sector workers.
The Head of the Pasaman Branch of BPJS Employment, Andry Fauzan, revealed that the administrative process has been completed, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Currently, they are just waiting for the disbursement process of the DBH funds.
“A total of 1,850 palm oil workers in Pasaman are now officially registered. They will receive protection under two main BPJS Employment programs, namely Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and Death Insurance (JKM),” said Andry, as reported by Antara on Thursday (31/7/2025).
According to Andry, this protection is important as an effort to prevent social risks and reduce the number of new poverty cases. By becoming participants in BPJS Employment, workers are not only economically protected in the event of work accidents or death but also open access for their families to receive other rights such as educational scholarships.
“If risks such as work accidents or death occur, families will receive appropriate benefits. Even, the children of workers can receive scholarships up to the university level,” he explained.
Furthermore, Andry hopes this step can serve as an example for other sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, and MSME actors, to also register their workers in the employment social security program.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Cooperatives, SMEs, Trade, and Labor Office (Koperindagnaker) of Pasaman Regency, Fatrizon, confirmed the number of registered participants and stated that the data collection was conducted from the grassroots level, namely the villages.
“The number of 1,850 palm oil workers was obtained through phased data collection. This is the result of solid cooperation between local agencies and BPJS Employment,” said Fatrizon.
He also added that the business sector in Pasaman continues to grow, so the number of protected workers is expected to continue to increase. Coordination with BPJS Employment is carried out periodically to ensure the sustainability and expansion of this protection.
“We hope that collaboration through the Palm Oil DBH can continue to be enhanced. The goal is clear: to provide optimal protection for workers and promote their welfare,” he concluded. (T2)
