JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, received an official audience from the President Director of the Social Security Administering Body for Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan), Saiful Hidayat, and his delegation at his office on Tuesday (September 15, 2026).

Minister Yandri underscored that BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage is essential, particularly for vulnerable groups within rural communities.

Informal workers stand to benefit significantly from this coverage, gaining crucial social safety nets and protection while performing their duties.

"Village Funds (Dana Desa), specifically allocations channeled through the Cash-for-Work (Padat Karya Tunai Desa / PKTD) scheme, can be utilized to cover these BPJS Ketenagakerjaan premium contributions," Minister Yandri stated.

Minister Yandri revealed that the ministry is currently drafting a legal framework in the form of a Ministerial Regulation (Peraturan Menteri) to support the initiative, which is presently undergoing harmonization.

Vulnerable informal workers in rural areas—ranging from agricultural laborers to mosque custodians (marbot)—require dedicated insurance protection.

Securing social safety protection for informal workers is critical, given their irregular working hours and elevated exposure to workplace hazards.

"The monthly premium is only IDR 16,800, yet it delivers maximum protection for rural workers," Minister Yandri noted.

Consequently, Kemendes PDT and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan will actively drive social security literacy across rural areas to highlight the necessity of occupational safety coverage while earning a livelihood.

This educational campaign, Minister Yandri added, aims to raise community awareness regarding the comprehensive insurance benefits available through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

To achieve this, joint teams from Kemendes PDT and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan will conduct direct outreach visits to rural communities.

In response, President Director of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Saiful Hidayat affirmed the tangible benefits offered to rural participants.

He explained that maintaining uninterrupted premium contributions for three consecutive years unlocks benefits valued in the tens of millions of rupiahs.

"Additionally, we provide academic scholarships for participants' children covering educational levels through higher education," Saiful added.

Attending from the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan delegation were Director of Membership Agung Nugroho, Deputy Secretariat of the Agency Usfiari Usmar, Deputy for Corporate and Institutional Membership Hendra Nopriansyah, and Deputy for Communications Erfan Kurniawan.

Accompanying Minister Yandri were Secretary-General Taufik Madjid, Director General of PDP Nugroho Setijo Nagoro, and Special Staff M. Fahad Attamimi.

Photo: Wening/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT