Extending social protection coverage in Indonesia

Indonesia is taking steps towards achieving universal social protection as mandated by the constitution and promoted as international standards. As of November 2016, more than 170 million people were members of National Social Security Provider on Health (BPJS Kesehatan) (in charge of health insurance), while approximately 19 million workers and employers are members of National Social Security Provider on Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) (in charge of employment injury, death and old-age benefits).

Strengthening national social security institutions in order to achieve universal coverage and explore customized solutions for specific vulnerable groups (workers from the informal economy, migrant workers) was among the key points listed as top priority areas of actions by the ILO’s members in Indonesia during the High Level Dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were held in Jakarta, in August 2016. As a follow-up to the Dialogue and in the framework of the ILO/Japan regional project on Extending Social Security in ASEAN (ESSA), a two-day knowledge sharing workshop was held in Bogor in last September 2016.

Forty representatives from the ILO tripartite constituents (government, workers’ organizations and employers’ association) attended this forum to share their views on the key challenges of the current extension strategy and what could be learned from past initiatives in Indonesia as well as in other countries.

Participants also briefly discussed ILO’s standards related to employment/unemployment insurance and comparative design options based on a report that was prepared by the ILO/JAPAN project (phase II) mapping the situation in 14 countries, including in Viet Nam, Thailand, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Japan and China.

The consultation also marked the start of the ILO/Japan Project on Extending Social Security in ASEAN (ESSA) in Indonesia. The Project is aimed to generate better knowledge and expertise on extension of social security, and stimulate South-South cooperation across ASEAN Member States. The Project provides direct support to Indonesia and Viet Nam for increasing social security coverage.