BANGKA -- PT TIMAH Tbk’s commitment to providing social protection for fishermen has once again delivered tangible benefits. Through the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participation program facilitated by the company, the family of Hasanuddin (42), a fisherman from Sungailiat, Bangka Regency, received compensation after the deceased lost his life at sea after being struck by lightning while fishing.
The compensation was handed over by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Pangkalpinang to the heirs, with a total value of Rp233,500,000. This assistance consists of Work Accident Insurance (Jaminan Kecelakaan Kerja/JKK) compensation of Rp70,000,000 and educational scholarships for the deceased’s two children amounting to Rp163,500,000.
The tragic incident that claimed Hasanuddin’s life occurred in the waters of Karang Lakorek, Sungailiat, while he was fishing with his child, Bahar (12), who is his biological son.
Previously, PT TIMAH Tbk had also provided medical assistance for Bahar. This support is expected to help speed up his recovery.
Bangka Regent Fery Insani said his administration acted quickly after receiving reports of a fisherman who had died while at sea.
“As soon as I received news that one of our residents who worked as a fisherman had suffered a tragedy, I immediately contacted the Head of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Pangkalpinang, Mrs. Evi. She informed me that the victim’s BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership was still active, so he was entitled to compensation,” Fery said.
Fery explained that the late Hasanuddin was enrolled in BPJS Ketenagakerjaan through facilitation by PT TIMAH Tbk. He admitted that he was both surprised and grateful because the compensation provided was not limited to work accident benefits but also included educational scholarships for the victim’s children.
“After I received the information, it turned out that the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership was facilitated by PT TIMAH Tbk. I conveyed my gratitude to PT TIMAH’s management and the President Director for implementing this program because social security like this is extremely beneficial,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation for PT TIMAH Tbk’s role in facilitating BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participation for fishermen. According to him, this program proves that the presence of industry also brings social protection benefits to surrounding communities.
“PT TIMAH Tbk carries out mining activities and has production targets, but PT TIMAH Tbk does not forget the surrounding community. For example, in the case of fishermen who experience accidents, if we only provided donations, the benefits might not be as significant as what this family has received. Hopefully, this compensation can ease the burden on the family left behind. With the scholarship, the children’s education in the future no longer needs to be a concern,” he said.
He hopes that in the future, not only PT TIMAH Tbk but also other businesses will facilitate social security for vulnerable groups.
“Besides PT TIMAH Tbk, we hope other companies will also implement similar programs, because there are many workers in sectors such as agriculture and others. We also hope PT TIMAH Tbk can continue to increase the number of community members facilitated to obtain BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Head of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Pangkalpinang, Evi Haliyati Rachmat, explained that the late Hasanuddin was recorded as an active BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participant registered through PT TIMAH Tbk’s program for assisted fisherman groups.
“The late Hasanuddin was an active BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participant registered through PT TIMAH Tbk under a fishermen association. Therefore, his heirs are entitled to receive JKK compensation as well as educational scholarships for his two children,” Evi said, as quoted from various sources.
She emphasized that the presence of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan represents the tangible role of the state in providing social protection for workers, including fishermen who work in the informal sector and face high risks.
“When workers experience misfortune, that is when the state is present. The scholarship of Rp163,500,000 guarantees the children’s education from primary school through university,” she explained.
According to Evi, the handover of this compensation also serves as proof of strong synergy between BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, local government, and the business sector such as PT TIMAH Tbk in expanding employment social security coverage.
Through the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan program for fishermen, PT TIMAH Tbk continues to demonstrate its commitment not only to carrying out mining operations, but also to ensuring that coastal communities and fishermen in the company’s operational areas receive protection and a sense of security while working. This program is part of PT TIMAH Tbk’s efforts to grow and develop together with the community.
