PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government supports the Economic Empowerment and Independence (Peka) program initiated by BPJS Employment as an effort to encourage beneficiaries and heirs to be able to manage compensation productively and sustainably.

The activity entitled "Rising to Knit Independence Towards Sustainable Prosperity" was held at the Bandung City Hall, Tuesday (18/8/2026).

The event was attended by the Indonesian Minister of Manpower, Yassierli, the President Director of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Saiful Hidayat, as well as regional government officials and beneficiary participants.

The Regional Secretary of Bandung City, Iskandar Zulkarnain, who represented the Mayor of Bandung Muhammad Farhan, expressed his appreciation for the implementation of the Peka program.

According to him, the program is in line with the government's efforts to build a productive and independent society.

"Social security is not enough to just provide protection when risks occur, but must also be able to encourage people to be productive, independent, and have economic resilience," said Iskandar while reading the Mayor of Bandung's remarks.

He believes that public welfare cannot be built by the government alone. Collaboration is needed between the government, financial institutions, the business world, social institutions, and the community.

Through the Peka program, BPJS Employment beneficiaries who receive compensation and social security benefits are directed to develop their economic potential, including through skills improvement, access to financing, financial education, and business mentoring.

"The Bandung City Government will certainly continue to encourage the development of an economic ecosystem that provides broad opportunities for community growth. We want the people of Bandung to become more than just the objects of programs, but also active, productive, and independent actors in development," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Manpower Yassierli appreciated the BPJS Employment initiative.

He believes that the compensation received by heirs can be used as initial capital to build a business, so that the benefits of social security do not stop at providing compensation.

"We truly appreciate and support this program, hoping it will foster a new independent workforce and new entrepreneurs who will become the pillars of the nation's economy," said Yassierli.

According to him, the Ministry of Manpower is ready to collaborate with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to provide assistance to beneficiaries.

The Ministry also has various independent and vocational workforce training programs that can be collaborated on.

Yassierli said the Ministry of Manpower has an independent workforce program that provides capital, training, and mentoring.

The program is expected to not only give birth to new entrepreneurs, but also create jobs for other people.

Meanwhile, the President Director of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Saiful Hidayat, explained that the Peka program was born from an evaluation of the distribution of social security benefits to participants and heirs.

He gave the example of an heir who received compensation of around IDR 281 million after her husband died due to an accident at work.

This situation raises questions about how large amounts of compensation can be managed to provide long-term benefits for families.

"We hope the benefits and savings they receive won't just be for consumption, but will actually be productive and, God willing, even open up new job opportunities," Saiful said.

The Peka Program carries out a training, funding, and marketing approach.

Participants are directed to take training according to their interests and needs, then receive mentoring to develop their business and gain access to further financing.

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan also encourages marketing of participant products through its digital ecosystem and partner network.

In this way, participants are not only equipped with skills, but are also guided to be able to develop their businesses sustainably.

Saiful stated that the program has been piloted since July 4, 2026, and is currently being implemented simultaneously in 37 provinces at 41 locations. As of the Bandung launch, 2,736 participants had received training.

He targets at least 10 percent of participants who take part in the program in 2026 to be able to start being productive within the next three to four months.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)