Access and Effects of Social Protection on Workers Living with HIV and Their Households in Indonesia

24 October 2013 | admin
Project At Glance
Country Indonesia
Region Surabaya, and Malang in East Java, and Denpasar in Bali
Name of Client ILO Indonesia
Address Kantor Perwakilan ILO di Jakarta  Menara Thamrin, Level 22. Jalan M.H. Thamrin, Kav. 3. Jakarta 10250
Duration of Assignment 4 months
Start Date July 2013
Completion Date October 2013
Prinsipal Investigator Dr. Dewi Haryani Susilastuti
Principal Investigator (Not on the list)
Research Team Mulyadi Sumarto, Ph.D., Sri Purwatiningsih, S.Si., M.Kes., Emil Karmila, M.Dev. Ph.D (cand)
Research Team (not on the list)
Profiles of Professional Staff Provided by The Center Public Policy Specialist (Social Protection Program), Public Health Specialist (reproductive health and gender)

Despite considerable developments in the Indonesia’s social protection system, there are challenges being faced by people living with HIV (PLHIV) and key HIV affected populations (KAP) in accessing social protection according to an ILO research conducted in 2013. The ILO research assessed the level of access and effects of social protection on workers living with HIV and their households. Indonesia’s social protection programmes for formal public or private sector employees are well structured but less developed for workers in the informal economy.  Among PLHIV respondents with health insurance, 41 percent are in the formal economy, 31 percent informal economy, and 28 percent are retirees or unemployed who are seeking jobs. Social protections services such as conditional and unconditional cash transfer, provision of amenities such as rice for the poor, are under-utilized by PLHIV due to lack of identity card, complex administrative procedures, societal and self-stigma. Consequently, only 13 percent sex workers and 21 percent trans-genders have been able to access health care.  Some transgender respondents avoided seeking health care due to own anticipation of possible ill-treatment by service providers. NGO outreach workers and peer support groups play a key role in assisting PLHIV to access available social protection programmes, particularly health care. Family and/or friends also provide valuable support for PLHIV:  42 percent  financial, 27 percent forgoods and services, and 22 percent for logistics. Among those PLHIV who have been able to access different social protection services, they reported positive economic and health benefits. Specifically, they and their family were able to obtain needed health care, with their health maintained, they and their partners were able to keep income generation activities, and keep children in schools. Despite government’s efforts, existing social protection coverage mainly benefit workers in formal economy. There is a need to address barriers (procedures, stigma and discrimination, gender) faced by PLHIV and affected populations in accessing existing schemes. Given the critical roles of NGOs, family and friends in social protection government could strengthen its collaboration with NGOs, family and communities.

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