SOUTH BANGKA - PT Timah Tbk again facilitated fishermen to obtain social protection guarantees through the BPJS Employment program.
This time, PT Timah facilitated BPJS Employment membership for 28 fishermen in Toboali District, South Bangka Regency. The handover of membership cards was carried out in conjunction with PT Timah's Mobil Sehat activity in Tanjung Ketapang, Friday (28/2/2025).
Last Wednesday, PT Timah also facilitated as many as 414 fishermen in Bangka Regency to get BPJS Employment social protection insurance.
Tanjung Ketapang Village Head, Sunarno, appreciated PT Timah Tbk's initiative in helping fishermen in his area. He said that since he took office as Lurah in 2023, he has been thinking of ways to make the community independent in obtaining social protection.
“Since the beginning of my tenure as Lurah, I want the community to be independent and become BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participants. Alhamdulillah, PT Timah is now present to help realize this. I am personally very happy and grateful. My expectations are that not only 28 fishermen will get support, but all fishermen in this area, whether they use sungkor, muket, or nets, can get the same benefits from PT Timah,” said Sunarno.
In addition to the social security program, Sunarno also welcomed PT Timah's plan to support education for underprivileged and outstanding coastal children.
One of the beneficiaries of this program, Arisa, a fisherman from Batu Kodok, also expressed her gratitude for the assistance provided by PT Timah.
“I am very happy to get this BPJS Employment card. Previously we never thought there would be assistance like this. As fishermen, we work at sea which is full of risks such as stormy winds, big waves, and other dangers. With this BPJS, we feel more calm and protected. Thank you very much for PT Timah, hopefully PT Timah will continue to progress,” he said.
Similarly, Chairman of the Samudera Indah Fishermen Group Yustra shared the conditions faced by coastal fishermen, and said they were greatly helped by being given access to this social security.
“We go to sea far away, the risks are great, the wind conditions are also sometimes strong, and with this BPJS from PT Timah we are greatly helped,” he said.
He also added that this assistance was like a surprise from PT Timah for the fishermen.
“I never thought before I would be given this, suddenly today I was called and told to take the BPJS, like a surprise, Alhamdulillah, I am very happy,” he said.
“Hopefully PT Timah will continue to advance in the future, succeed, and continue to benefit coastal fishermen,” he hoped.
Department Head Corporate Communication of PT Timah, Anggi Siahaan said, the BPJS Employment program for this group of fishermen has been going on since 2022.
“The number of beneficiaries of the BPJS Employment program facilitated by PT Timah continues to grow. The company hopes that with this social security protection, fishermen can work safely and comfortably,” said Anggi.
With BPJS Employment, fishermen and their families will get protection in the event of work accidents or other unwanted risks.
Throughout 2024, PT Timah Tbk has provided employment social security protection to 675 fishermen throughout the Bangka Belitung Islands Province. This program aims to improve security and welfare for vulnerable workers in the company's operational areas. (*)
