MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Medan Mayor, Rico Waas, emphasized that the city's development should not be measured solely by the growth of infrastructure, buildings, roads, or increasing investment. According to him, sustainable development must also ensure protection and welfare for all members of society, including workers in the informal sector who have yet to receive comprehensive employment social security coverage.
The statement was delivered during a luncheon held as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the
Medan City Government, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, and strategic companies in Medan to accelerate the implementation of the
Universal Coverage Jamsostek (UCJ) program at Medan City Hall on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The event was attended by Head of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Medan Kota Branch Jefri Iswanto, Acting Head of the Medan City Manpower Office Ramaddan, along with executives from private companies, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and regional-owned enterprises (ROEs).
Development Must Ensure Workers' Protection
Rico Waas explained that workers in the formal sector are generally protected through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participation. However, many informal workers-including becak drivers, online motorcycle taxi drivers, fishermen, domestic workers, drivers, and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) operators-remain outside the employment social security system.
He noted that
informal workers play a vital role in supporting Medan's economic growth. Their daily activities help meet the needs of the community while contributing significantly to the stability of the local economy.
"Every business we build must create benefits for society and not only for its own employees. We are all interconnected. There are workers who rely on online motorcycle taxis to get to work, and there are people who consume the catch of our fishermen. Therefore, formal and informal workers must move forward together," Rico Waas said.
He stressed that expanding employment social security coverage requires the active participation of all stakeholders. The government cannot achieve this goal alone without support from the business community and society.
For that reason, Rico Waas encouraged companies across Medan to utilize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs to register informal workers as BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participants.
According to him, such initiatives not only support government programs but also demonstrate corporate responsibility toward people who face the risks of workplace accidents or the loss of a family's primary breadwinner.
"The Medan City Government has directly witnessed the benefits provided by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. These include death compensation, workplace accident benefits, and educational assistance for participants' children. We hope these benefits can reach even more people who have yet to receive protection," he said.
Medan Protects Thousands of Vulnerable Workers
Rico Waas revealed that the Medan City Government has taken concrete steps by allocating funding from the Regional Budget (APBD) to provide BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage for 17,851 vulnerable workers.
However, he acknowledged that the number still falls short of covering all workers in need of protection. Therefore, the city government continues to strengthen collaboration with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and the business sector to accelerate the achievement of
Universal Coverage Jamsostek in Medan.
He described employment social security as a key foundation for creating a safer and more prosperous society. Workers with adequate protection can carry out their economic activities with greater peace of mind, knowing they are safeguarded against occupational risks.
Concluding his remarks,
Rico Waas reaffirmed the
Medan City Government's commitment to creating a healthy and professional investment climate while ensuring that workers' welfare remains a priority.
"Let us continue building Medan with professionalism. The government will maintain a conducive business climate, while companies are expected to play an active role in promoting social justice for all workers," he concluded.
UCJ Program Targets 70,000 Workers
Meanwhile, Acting Head of the Medan City Manpower Office Ramaddan stated that the city government remains committed to supporting the central government's Universal Coverage Jamsostek expansion program.
He explained that in 2026, Medan aims to include approximately 60,000 to 70,000 workers-both wage earners and non-wage earners—under the UCJ employment protection scheme.
Of that target, 17,851 vulnerable workers have already received BPJS Ketenagakerjaan coverage funded through the Medan City Government's APBD allocation.
"For the remaining workers, we are strengthening partnerships with the business sector. Today we invited Platinum-category companies to participate through their CSR programs by providing protection for workers within their business ecosystem and surrounding communities," Ramaddan said.
He added that the Medan City Manpower Office also encourages members of the public to help informal workers in their neighborhoods gain access to BPJS Ketenagakerjaan protection.
According to him, participants receive benefits under the Work Accident Insurance (JKK) and Death Benefit Insurance (JKM) programs. The initiative targets various groups of
informal workers who currently lack employment social security coverage, including online motorcycle taxi drivers, fishermen, domestic workers, drivers, and others with irregular incomes.
With the growing number of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan participants, the Medan City Government hopes that all workers will be able to carry out their economic activities with greater security while strengthening efforts to improve social welfare across Medan. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala