Drafts On Implementation Of BPJS Have No Substance Problems

Jakarta, Oct 22 (Antara) - The seven draft regulations on the implementation (RPP) of the Social and Security Management Agency (BPJS) have no problems with regard to their substance, Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said. Muhaimin Iskandar noted in a press statement on Tuesday that the relevant ministries and institutions were still holding various meetings to harmonize several clauses in the RPP that will serve as the basis for the implementation of the PBJS in the manpower sector. The state-owned workers` social insurance firm PT Jamsostek will be transformed into the BPJS in the manpower sector. "The joint meetings of ministries and institutions will discuss the legal aspects (of the drafts). So, there is no problem with regard to their substance," the minister affirmed. The seven RPPs concern occupational accidents, old age, and life insurance; pension insurance; administrative sanctions against employers; the management and development of workers` social insurance and BPJS assets; relations among BPJS workers` institutions; draft presidential decisions on social insurance membership; and draft presidential decisions on the BPJS program. Muhaimin claimed the seven RPPs would guide the operations of the social security management agency. "There are still three more RPPs that need further deliberations in 2014, but they are not yet urgently required for the BPJS` operations," the Minister remarked. The minister said the three RPPs included provisions on the appointment of BPJS leaders. He noted that all stakeholders with regard to the BPJS, such as employers` associations and workers` representatives including trade unions and workers` associations, were involved in the drafting of the BPJS regulations. "So, all are involved in drafting the details of the provisions," the minister explained. PT Jamsostek had said earlier that it could draw the conclusion from its dialog with the representatives of workers` unions at company levels that they had rejected any reductions imposed on their additional benefits when the BPJS was already in operation. PT Jamsostek Executive Director Achmad Riadi pointed out on Saturday that he has always held talks with representatives of workers` associations at the company level when they made visits to various regions. He noted he had held a dialog to popularize the transformation of PT Jamsostek into BPJS, as of Jan. 1, 2014. The issue of additional benefits has always been raised by workers` representatives during talks, he remarked. He said that PT Jamsostek has so far provided additional benefits such as scholarships for members` children, down payments on loans for house purchases, construction of flats for rent, free medication, and soft loans for workers` cooperatives. In the meantime, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono claimed on Monday that the BPJS will also be formed in the health sector after thorough research and careful planning have been completed. "We are doing what we have established, not without objectives, because we realize that the world we are living in today is not yet secure," the President stated at the launch of a national movement for the BPJS, which was organized by state-owned health insurance firm PT Askes in Sukabumi, West Java, on Monday. He noted that the establishment of the BPJS in the health sector, which will become effective in 2014, had passed several thorough inspections since 2005. The movement was launched at the Police Officer College (Secapa) complex in Sukabumi, West Java. The president acknowledged in January 2014 that state-owned health insurance firm PT Askes would be transformed into the BPJS in the health sector to manage the national health insurance for all Indonesian citizens. On the occasion, the president also witnessed the signing of a commitment document by 140 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in support of the BPJS` program. The signing of the document affirms the commitment of SOEs in supporting the BPJS movement by registering their employees in the BPJS insurance program. The government currently provides health insurance for 86.4 million poor and underprivileged citizens. By early next year, national health insurance will unite insurance security services for state agencies, including former PT Askes clients (military/police personnel); the poor; Jamkesmas (people`s health security program) members; and formal workers, such as ex-clients of PT Jamsostek, with a total membership of some 120 million people.