In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Presidential Communication Office (PCO) spokesperson Dedek Prayudi said that the budget will be used to pay work accident insurance and death insurance benefits contributions in cooperation with state workers' insurance provider BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.
"Every worker in the MBG kitchens is now protected with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan insurance, at least with work accident insurance and death benefits," he informed.
In addition to guaranteeing medical care for MBG workers who experience work accidents, he said, the death benefits will also finance the education of workers' children up to undergraduate level.
He explained that, unlike the general scheme, where contributions are paid jointly by the company and workers, in this scheme, the BGN will cover all contributions without deducting workers' salaries.
"Workers' salaries are not deducted at all," he said.
The cooperation is a follow-up to a memorandum of understanding signed by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan president director Anggoro Eko Cahyo and BGN head Dadan Hindayana on Monday.
Prayudi said that the collaboration is in line with the third mission of President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita, namely creating quality jobs, encouraging entrepreneurship, and strengthening the community's economy.
"The growth of MBG's kitchens will stimulate the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and create a circular economy that strengthens the community from the grassroots," he added.
Furthermore, the government is also encouraging the absorption of young workers by offering premium subsidies to companies that employ permanent employees aged 18–24 years.
The Indonesian government officially launched the Free Nutritious Meals Program on January 6, 2025, as one of the main programs of President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.
Through the program, the government aims to improve the nutritional intake of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to high school level.
Related news: Indonesia opens pasteurized milk facility to back free meals program
Related news: Expanding cooperative-owned milk processing for MBG program: ministry
Related news: Free meals program to support direct job creation: BGN
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
