PALMOILMAGAZINE, LHOKSEUMAWE – A total of 460 members of SPKS Aceh, out of 770 independent oil palm smallholders and vulnerable workers in North Aceh Regency, have received BPJS Employment insurance cards during a symbolic handover ceremony held in Lhokseumawe on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. The event was organized by the BPJS Employment office of North Aceh Regency and attended by key stakeholders in the plantation sector.
The ceremony was attended by Abubakar AR, Chairman of the Oil Palm Smallholders Union (SPKS) Aceh, along with Lilis Indriansyah, Head of the Plantation, Livestock, and Animal Health Office of North Aceh Regency, representing the Regent of North Aceh. Also present were four farmer groups and one plantation cooperative, Koperasi Berkat Bunga Damai from Cot Girek Village, as farmer representatives.
In her speech, Lilis Indriansyah highlighted the importance of BPJS Employment coverage for oil palm smallholders and vulnerable workers. She emphasized that the insurance provides protection against work-related accidents and includes death benefits of IDR 42 million for the farmer’s heirs, along with educational support for two children, covering their studies from kindergarten to university.
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“With BPJS coverage, we ensure that oil palm smallholders in North Aceh receive proper protection while working in the field. If accidents or other unforeseen incidents occur, they and their families remain financially secure,” Lilis stated in her remarks to Palmoilmagazine.com on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
The BPJS Employment assistance program is funded through the 2024 Palm Oil Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH Sawit) and is valid for one year, until September 2025. The initiative benefits smallholders and vulnerable workers across seven districts in North Aceh Regency.
SPKS Aceh Chairman, Abubakar AR, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Disbunnak North Aceh. “This is tangible progress. The entire initiative is led by Disbunnak, and SPKS has helped by providing farmer data and coordinating with various farmer groups,” he said.
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He also hopes that the BPJS quota will be expanded in the coming years. “If possible, the 2025 DBH Sawit funds should be fully allocated to BPJS assistance for independent oil palm smallholders. This is our hope. SPKS will continue coordinating with the Plantation Office to ensure the welfare and prosperity of smallholders in North Aceh,” Abubakar added.
With this insurance protection, oil palm smallholders in North Aceh are expected to experience improved welfare and greater security in carrying out their plantation activities. (P2)
