InfoSAWIT, BENGKAYANG – The Bengkayang Regency Government in West Kalimantan has affirmed its commitment to expanding social protection for workers in the palm oil plantation sector. This effort is being realized through a mandatory employment insurance program funded by the Crude Palm Oil Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH Sawit).
"This program is a tangible form of the local government's attention to the welfare and job security of the farmers and laborers who are the backbone of the regional economy," said Bengkayang Regent Sebastianus Darwis while opening the Socialization of the Perisai Program and handing over employment social security protection cards to palm oil workers on Friday (10/10/2025).
Sebastianus stated that social protection is both a moral and constitutional responsibility of the government toward its citizens, especially those working in the informal sector with high occupational risks. He emphasized that the local government is not only focused on increasing plantation production but also ensuring the safety and welfare of the workforce on the ground.
"Palm oil workers play a huge role in driving the regional economy. Therefore, they must receive decent social protection. The government is present to ensure these workers' rights are met," he asserted, as reported by InfoSAWIT from Antara on Sunday (12/10/2025).
For the 2025 budget year, 2,116 palm oil workers in Bengkayang have received BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Employment Social Security) contribution subsidies sourced from the DBH Sawit. This assistance provides 12 months of coverage, including work accident insurance and death benefits for the recipients.
The program is a concrete implementation of the central government's policy to channel the benefits of the DBH Sawit so that they are directly felt by communities at the grassroots level, particularly palm oil workers. The local government is committed to continuously expanding the protection coverage to shield more workers.
"Indeed, not all palm oil workers are covered yet, but we are working with BPJS and related institutions to expand participation. Our hope is that all palm oil workers in Bengkayang will receive employment social security in the future," Sebastianus explained.
The Regent also encouraged workers to continue their BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership independently, noting that the monthly contribution is quite affordable—around Rp 16,800—while providing comprehensive protection benefits. He concluded by appreciating the synergy between BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, the local government, and various parties, deeming cross-sector collaboration key to ensuring the social protection program is effective and truly benefits palm oil workers in Bengkayang. (T2)
