EAST BELITUNG – PT Timah Tbk continues to provide social security protection for fishermen through the BPJS Employment program. This initiative aims to offer security and protection for fishermen who work at sea, facing high occupational risks.
At the beginning of 2025, PT Timah facilitated BPJS Employment social security coverage for 84 fishermen in Gantung, East Belitung Regency.
The BPJS Employment assistance was symbolically handed over by PT Timah’s President Director, Ahmad Dani Virsal, and the Acting Governor of Babel, Sugito, during an onion harvesting event at Lake Nujau, Gangse Hamlet, East Belitung Regency, on Saturday (8/2/2025).
This social security protection assistance is part of the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, focusing on improving community welfare, particularly for those working in the informal sector, such as fishermen.
PT Timah’s Department Head of Corporate Communication, Anggi Siahaan, stated that facilitating BPJS Employment for fishermen is the company’s effort to provide social security protection for them.
“The company understands that being a fisherman involves high risks, from workplace accidents to dangers at sea. With BPJS Employment coverage, we hope that fishermen can work with greater peace of mind and have social security benefits they can rely on when needed,” he said.
Suherman, one of the fishermen who received the BPJS Employment assistance, expressed his gratitude to PT Timah for caring about the fishermen in Gantung Village and surrounding areas.
“We are very grateful to PT Timah for their concern for fishermen. With this BPJS Employment assistance, we feel more secure, both for ourselves and our families,” he said.
He explained that being a fisherman carries significant risks, as 80% of them work at sea where weather conditions are unpredictable.
“Working as a fisherman is extremely risky. If we calculate, the probability of accidents is around 80% because we face waves, strong winds, and unpredictable sea weather,” he explained.
Suherman also shared that he and his family had an unpleasant experience with BPJS Employment in the past, which is why he hopes PT Timah’s BPJS program will continue in the coming years.
“We once had a difficult experience, so we hope PT Timah continues this BPJS program in the years ahead. If our BPJS card is about to expire, we hope to receive assistance in renewing it so we can continue benefiting from the coverage,” he added.
According to Suherman, PT Timah’s support for fishermen is not limited to BPJS Employment assistance. In previous years, he had also received fishing nets and other fishing equipment.
“We were previously given fishing nets and many other things. So we are truly grateful to PT Timah for looking after us fishermen, and we also appreciate the BPJS assistance because it helps us,” he said.
As a member of the MIND ID mining industry holding, PT Timah has been running its BPJS Employment facilitation program for fishermen and vulnerable groups since 2022. From 2022 to 2023, a total of 959 fishermen and vulnerable individuals have been registered for BPJS Employment insurance through PT Timah’s support.
PT Timah remains committed to supporting the coastal economy, including that of fishermen. Various programs have been implemented to improve fishermen’s welfare, such as providing fishing equipment, BPJS Employment assistance, and empowering fishing groups for aquaculture development. (*)
