PANGKALPINANG -- As a form of concern for the safety and welfare of coastal communities, PT TIMAH Tbk continues to play an active role in providing social protection for fishermen through participation in BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Employment Social Security).
This program is designed to provide protection guarantees for fishermen who face high occupational risks while carrying out fishing activities at sea. PT TIMAH Tbk has consistently facilitated thousands of fishermen in obtaining social protection as a manifestation of its concern for their safety and welfare.
Through its Social and Environmental Responsibility Program, from 2022 to 2025 PT TIMAH Tbk has facilitated a total of 1,525 fishermen in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province and the Riau Islands Province to enroll in BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.
The fishing profession is highly vulnerable to various risks, ranging from workplace accidents at sea to extreme weather conditions. Through this program, fishermen receive protection in the form of Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and Death Benefit Insurance (JKM), providing a sense of security not only for the fishermen themselves but also for their families.
Chairman of the Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) of Bangka Regency, Lukman, said that hundreds of fishermen in Bangka Regency have become beneficiaries of the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan program facilitated by PT TIMAH Tbk, and several of them have directly experienced the benefits of the program.
“BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participants through HNSI Bangka have reached hundreds of fishermen. Moreover, the BPJS Employment financing program for fishermen has also covered other areas, including Belitung and Kundur. This program is very beneficial for fishermen,” he said.
According to Lukman, this program not only provides social protection for fishermen but also helps prevent the emergence of new poor families if a disaster befalls a fisherman.
“This program is very important for fishermen, because at present there are still many fishermen who do not yet have BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage,” he said.
He added that there have already been two heirs of fishermen in Bangka Regency who experienced maritime accidents and received benefits from this program, one of whom was Hasanuddin.
“We strongly hope that this program will continue, because it represents a form of maritime harmony where mining and fishermen continue to work in synergy and provide mutual benefits,” he said.
Head of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Pangkalpinang, Evi Haliyati Rachmat, said that her office appreciates the concern shown by PT TIMAH Tbk in providing social security programs for fishermen.
“Employment Social Security protection is part of a national strategic program, including in Bangka Belitung Province. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan appreciates the concern of PT TIMAH Tbk for providing employment social security protection to local fishermen. Fishermen are one of the most vulnerable groups, especially in an archipelagic province like Bangka Belitung, where the percentage of people working as fishermen is quite large,” she said.
According to her, PT TIMAH Tbk’s program in protecting fishermen can serve as an inspiration for other companies or stakeholders to increase awareness that responsibility for employment social security protection is a shared responsibility of all parties.
“My hope is that in the future, PT TIMAH Tbk’s program in providing employment social security protection for fishermen will continue and even be expanded and increased in coverage,” she said.
With the support of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participation, fishermen are expected to work more calmly and productively, as they have adequate social protection. PT TIMAH Tbk considers this protection a strategic step in strengthening the social and economic resilience of coastal communities.
Going forward, PT TIMAH Tbk is committed to continuing to expand the reach of social protection programs for fishermen and encouraging collaboration with various parties so that more fishermen are protected and better understand the importance of employment social security. (*)
