Strengthening Social Security Guarantees for Indonesian Migrant Workers through Permen P2MI/BP2MI 9/2026

Introduction

On 24 August 2026, the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers/Agency for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers enacted Regulation of the Minister of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers/Agency for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers of the Republic of Indonesia Number 9 of 2026 concerning Social Security for Indonesian Migrant Workers (“Permen P2MI/BP2MI 9/2026”), which entered into force on 28 August 2026. Permen P2MI/BP2MI 9/2026 regulates the governance of social security for Indonesian Migrant Workers (“PMI”) as part of efforts to strengthen social protection for PMI through the national social security system administered by BPJS, both in the areas of health and employment.

Permen P2MI/BP2MI 9/2026 was issued as part of adjustments to institutional transformation and the transfer of duties and functions in the field of PMI protection at the national level. The establishment of this regulation constitutes the implementation of the mandate under Article 29 paragraph (5) of Law Number 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation. Permen P2MI/BP2MI 9/2026 is intended to provide legal certainty and strengthen the social safety net for PMI in addressing various risks of vulnerability, by ensuring protection of the safety, health, and welfare of PMI from the pre-departure stage, during the placement period, through the post-employment period in Indonesia.

Key Provisions

• Scope and Nature of Participation

As regulated under this regulation, social security for Indonesian Migrant Workers (“PMI”) is implemented through the national social security system, which covers health social security and employment social security. Health social security is implemented in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations, while employment social security for PMI covers the Work Accident Insurance (JKK), Death Insurance (JKM), and Old Age Security (JHT) programs.

Participation in the JKK and JKM programs is mandatory for Prospective PMI and PMI working abroad. Meanwhile, participation in the JHT program is optional and may be undertaken voluntarily by Prospective PMI and PMI. All of the JKK, JKM, and JHT programs are administered by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

• Registration and Participation Stages

Pursuant to Article 8, registration for JKK, JKM, and JHT for PMI placed by a company for the company’s own interests shall follow the provisions concerning the administration of employment social security for wage-earning workers.

• Protection Period

This regulation divides the protection period for the JKK, JKM, and JHT programs into three stages, namely: before employment, during employment, and after employment, with different protection periods applicable to each stage:

• Social Security Program Benefits

This regulation sets out in detail the scope of entitlement to financial protection benefits that may be claimed by migrant workers or their beneficiaries, as follows:

• Work Accident Insurance (JKK): provides protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers before, during, and after employment in the form of cash benefits and healthcare services. Cash benefits include reimbursement of transportation and repatriation costs, disability or death compensation, rehabilitation costs, reimbursement for dentures, hearing aids, and eyeglasses, assistance arising from failure to depart, failure to be placed, or placement inconsistent with the employment agreement, assistance for participants experiencing physical and/or sexual violence, benefits arising from termination of employment under certain conditions, funeral and repatriation costs for deceased Participants, and scholarships for a maximum of 2 (two) eligible children. In addition, Participants are entitled to healthcare services according to their medical needs and may receive assistance and vocational training if they suffer Partial Anatomical Disability and/or Partial Functional Disability resulting from a Work Accident or an occupational disease caused by the work environment.

• Death Insurance (JKM): provides benefits to the beneficiaries of Participants who die during an active participation period, in the form of death compensation, periodic compensation, and funeral expenses. For Participants during employment, JKM benefits also cover funeral and repatriation costs and scholarships for a maximum of 2 (two) eligible children if the Participant dies other than as a result of a Work Accident. JKM benefits during employment also apply to Participants who die while on leave, while funeral and repatriation costs shall be provided if such costs are not covered by insurance in the destination country/territory of placement, the Employer, and/or the Government of the Republic of Indonesia.

• Old Age Security (JHT): provides benefits in the amount of the accumulated total of all contributions paid, together with the investment returns thereon, in the Participant’s individual account when the Participant reaches retirement age, dies, or suffers Permanent Total Disability. Retirement age includes Participants who reach the age of 56, fail to depart, or fail to be placed, as well as those who cease working due to expiration of the employment agreement, termination of employment, resignation, or becoming a foreign national. In preparation for entering retirement, JHT benefits may also be partially withdrawn by Participants who have completed a participation period of at least 10 years, in an amount of no more than 30% for home ownership or 10% for other purposes in accordance with preparations for entering retirement.

• Contribution Payment Mechanism

Referring to Articles 18 and 19, payments of JKK, JKM, and JHT contributions may be made through banking or non-banking channels cooperating with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, both domestically and abroad. After the contributions have been paid in full, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan shall issue proof of payment to the Participant.

Transitional Provisions

Article 67 stipulates that, upon the entry into force of this Ministerial/Agency Regulation, the integration of information systems for the administration of employment social security with Sisko P2MI must be completed within a maximum period of 1 (one) year from the promulgation of this Ministerial/Agency Regulation.

Closing 

Permen P2MI/BP2MI 9/2026 establishes a social security protection framework for PMI through mandatory participation in the JKK and JKM programs and voluntary participation in the JHT program. This regulation governs the registration stages, protection periods, benefits available to Participants and their beneficiaries, contribution payment mechanisms, and integration of information systems with Sisko P2MI. Through these provisions, PMI protection is provided from before departure, during employment in the destination country/territory of placement, through the period after returning to Indonesia, while also providing certainty regarding the rights and mechanisms for obtaining social security benefits for PMI and their beneficiaries.