The temporary counter was established as a follow-up to MoU No. PRJ/PK/00048/11/2023/66/10 between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BPJS Employment regarding Employment Social Security for PMI (Indonesian migrant workers). The agreement was signed on November 11, 2023.
"The synergy between the Indonesian Embassy in BSB and BPJS Employment is a form of state presence in ensuring the welfare and protection of PMIs in Brunei Darussalam," Ubaedillah said in a written statement received in Jakarta from the Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday.
This is in accordance with Law No. 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, which mandates social security for PMIs and Presidential Instruction No. 2 of 2021 concerning Optimizing the Implementation of the Employment Social Security Program, he informed.
The BPJS Employment counter was officially opened by Ubaedillah and the director for participation at BPJS Employment, Zainudin.
Ubaedillah welcomed Zainudin's plan to operate the temporary counter in Brunei as a pilot project for other Indonesian representatives.
According to the statement, the number of online registrations for BPJS membership in Brunei every month reached its highest level in 2023.
Zainudin said the number of active PMI participants in Brunei Darussalam in November 2023 was the highest at 4,228, up drastically from 3,700 the previous month.
The counter will offer its services on weekdays (Monday–Friday) from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time in December.
The collaboration is part of an effort to protect PMIs under the MELAJU MEGAH (Serving Honestly and Implementing Prevention) Program.
The program carries out regular outreach both through the dissemination of information as well as online and offline counseling to PMIs in Brunei Darussalam.
Related news: BPJS Employment seeks to attract more informal workers
Related news: KSP pushes informal workers' participation in social security
Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023