Indonesia Expands Social Security to Small-Scale Fishermen

Enhanced Protection for Fishing Community

The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to enhance social protection for the country's fishing community. This collaboration enables small-scale fishermen and fishing vessel crew members to participate in employment social security programs, marking a significant step in improving their welfare.

Priority for Small-Scale Fishermen

The program specifically targets fishermen operating vessels with a Gross Tonnage (GT) of 5 or less, categorizing them as small-scale fishermen. Mahrus, Director of Fishermen Protection and Empowerment at MMAF, emphasized that this group will receive priority in the registration process. The initiative aims to ensure that these fishermen receive the necessary protection and benefits under the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan program.

Mandatory Registration Requirement

As part of the implementation, there is a mandatory requirement for fishing vessel crew members to be registered as BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participants before they can set sail. Vessels will not be allowed to depart if their crew members have not met this requirement. This measure is designed to ensure compliance and maximize the program's impact on the fishing community.

Building on Existing Collaboration

Mahrus highlighted that the collaboration between MMAF and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan had already been underway, particularly for fishing vessel crew members. The recent MoU expands this collaboration to include small-scale fishermen, further broadening the scope of social protection in the sector. This development is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen across Indonesia.