14,600 Mimika OAP vulnerable workers are protected by Jamsostek

A total of 14,600 vulnerable Papuan Indigenous workers (OAP) in Mimika Regency, Papua Province have been protected by the Employment Social Security (Jamsostek) program through the CSR (Community Social Responsibility) scheme of private companies and local business entities.

Head of BPJAMSOSTEK Timika Branch Office, Verry Kristoforus Boekan in Timika, Monday, said that until the end of 2021 there were 17 business entities directly involved in efforts to provide protection for vulnerable workers with OAP through CSR schemes.

These companies cover Jamsostek OAP contributions specifically for two protection programs, namely the Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and Death Insurance (JK) as an implementation of Regional Regulation Number 4 of 2019.

He admitted, through the Mimika Regency Regional Regulation Number 4 of 2019 it obliges all companies operating in Mimika to set aside a portion of CSR funds to provide protection for vulnerable OAP workers to become participants in the BPJS Employment program.

"OAP who participate in various professional fields, there are farmers, fishermen, breeders, traders in the market, carpenters, stone masons, laborers, motorcycle taxi drivers and so on," explained Verry.

He mentioned that this year BPJAMSOSTEK Mimika will continue to boost the involvement of all business entities to be able to set aside part of their CSR funds to provide protection for vulnerable workers with OAP.

BPJAMSOSTEK Mimika does not yet know in detail how many more vulnerable OAP workers have not participated in the Jamsostek program.

However, based on BPS Mimika data in 2019, there were 33,000 workers in Mimika, both OAP and migrants from outside Papua.

So far, he said, the largest business entity that provides protection for vulnerable OAP workers to participate in the Social Security program is PT Kuala Pelabuhan Indonesia (KPI).

The subcontractor company engaged in transportation services in the PT Freeport Indonesia area provides protection to 10,000 OAP residents who live in the Kwamki Narama District.

Some other companies are also doing the same thing in other villages in the Mimika area.

Specifically for OAP who live in remote areas, namely Tsinga and Doliningongin Villages, the Tembagapura District is protected as a participant in the Jamsostek program through PT Auto Samudra and PT Major Driling, previously known as PT Pontil Indonesia.

"PT Major Driling provides protection to 397 people who live in Tsinga Village. Meanwhile, PT Auto Samudra provides protection to 200 residents who live in Doliningongin Village," explained Verry.

He said, BPJAMSOSTEK will continue to focus on recruiting as many non-wage workers as possible working in the non-formal sector to become participants in the Social Security program.

Very said, nationally according to new statistical data about 20 percent of the total non-wage workers who have become participants in the Mandiri Social Security program.

"They have been working in the non-formal sector, where they do not receive wages or salaries but have to find their own money to support their families," he said.

Given that so far the law does not require them to become participants in the Jamsostek program, a persuasive approach is needed for non-wage workers in the non-formal sector.

Especially in Mimika, he said, the number of workers in the non-formal sector is very large, reaching tens of thousands of people, namely those who work as motorcycle taxi drivers, as traditional gold miners, construction workers and others.

SOURCE: https://papua.antaranews.com/berita/671337/14600-pekerja-rentan-oap-mimika-dilindungi-jamsostek