BLITAR – Hundreds of former workers of PT Bokor Mas in Blitar still await clarity as their JKP claims remain unpaid, prompting lawmakers to step in.
The Blitar City Council plans to summon officials from the local Manpower Office and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. Lawmakers want clear answers on why workers have not received their Job Loss Insurance benefits.
Commission II Chair Yohan Tri Waluyo said the council will examine the technical reasons behind the stalled JKP claims. He pointed to the company’s failure to pay social security contributions for 10 months before the court declared it bankrupt.
“We want to know why these JKP benefits have not reached the workers. Under the law, BPJS can pay them first and then collect from the company,” Yohan said on April 29.
Lawmakers will also examine whether the company’s bankruptcy affects the payment process. They suspect BPJS may hesitate because it could face challenges in recovering the funds later.
“We need to confirm whether the bankruptcy status complicates future collection. That is what we will clarify with BPJS,” Yohan added.
The council now pushes for a solution that protects workers. It stresses that administrative issues should not leave hundreds of former employees without support.
Worker representative Yuni Rachmawati described the situation as urgent. She said delays in JKP claims have worsened conditions for many former employees.
“This is an emergency. Severance pay has not been settled, and workers cannot access JKP benefits because the company failed to pay contributions. These workers deserve priority protection,” she said.
The issue began in 2023, when the Surabaya Commercial Court declared PT Bokor Mas and PT Pura Perkasa Jaya bankrupt. The companies carried debts estimated at Rp 800 billion.
The closures left 533 workers without jobs. Their severance claims also dropped sharply, from Rp 22 billion to Rp 6 billion after legal disputes.
Unpaid JKP claims now add more pressure on former workers. Many struggle to meet daily needs without financial support.
Earlier this week, workers, supported by the SPSI labor union, reported the issue to the Blitar City Council. They urged officials to act and secure their rights.
The council expects the upcoming hearing to break the deadlock. It aims to ensure JKP claims move forward and that workers receive the benefits they deserve.