ATENSI as a New Initiative for the Ministry of Social Affairs to Overcome Scavenger Problems

JAKARTA (September 16, 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation places the problem of scavengers as a problem that needs a serious, planned, systematic and sustainable response. This will be realized in the form of Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) for Scavengers.

The implementation of ATENSI Scavengers involves various parties, so a coordination meeting of ATENSI Scavengers is held through virtual meetings. Several participants and resource persons were also present directly in the meeting room of the "Pangudi Luhur" Center Bekasi in limited numbers to comply with health protocols during the Covid-19 Pandemic (16/9).

Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat said that this event was very strategic and was a continuation of a new initiative in providing social rehabilitation services for scavengers. "After we assessed and mapped it, it turned out that the scavengers needed serious attention from the government," he said.

Harry said that the problems faced by scavengers were the non-fulfillment of civil rights, limited access to basic social services, difficulty in receiving service programs and the inherent stigma of being a thief, dirty human or disease carrier.

"The handling of these scavengers must be carried out in a serious, planned, systematic and sustainable manner. There needs to be recovery efforts and capacity development so that they are able to carry out their social functions properly," said Harry.

Through ATENSI Scavengers, social rehabilitation services are carried out using a family, community and residential based approach with activities to support the fulfillment of a decent life, social care, child care, family support, physical, psychosocial, and mental spiritual therapy, skills and entrepreneurship training, assistance and social assistance and accessibility support.

"ATENSI scavengers is a new initiative of the Ministry of Social Affairs in responding to social issues that exist in society," said Harry. The Ministry of Social Affairs will prepare regulations and general guidelines for the implementation of ATENSI scavengers by involving the Social Service, Collectors, LKS, Scavenger Families and Factories through its Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Harry added that the presence of scavengers is a potential actor in waste recycling, unemployment safety valves and a profitable waste recycling business. So, it can produce great economic value.

Head of the Recycling Section of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Tyasning Permanasari as one of the speakers said that there is a circular economy in waste management. This is done by making waste as a resource and economic growth can grow well.

"Starting by sorting out the waste that is owned by categorizing it into biodegradable, reusable, recyclable waste, residual waste and hazardous and toxic (B3) waste," said Tyas.

In line with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has established an effort to empower scavengers in waste management through fostering scavengers as an informal sector that supports national waste management and administrative control at the national level and associations.

Head of Data Utilization and Service Innovation of the Bekasi City Population and Civil Registry Office, Nardi said that identity as population administration is a right that must be owned by everyone, including scavengers. This is very important as a form of protection and recognition of the personal and legal status of each person.

"Every important event must be reported, such as displacement, death. Including scavengers, if they move, please apply for a letter of moving from their area of ​​origin. Report in stages. Disdukcapil will immediately process the data changes," said Nardi.

Harry hopes that through ATENSI Scavengers can give them the opportunity to realize their welfare. "By providing legal status as a Cleansing Mobilization Cadre so that the inherent stigma can gradually disappear, providing integrated programs, guaranteeing basic rights and needs, increasing participation, and providing access to basic services," he said.

Saut Marpaung, Chairperson of the Indonesian Waste Entrepreneurs Association (APSI) explained that there are huge economic opportunities if waste is managed properly. With this, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the scavengers who are carried out regularly.

APSI is ready to synergize with the Ministry of Social Affairs in providing training programs on waste management into useful products and facilitating information technology support for scavengers.

In line with that, the Kumala Foundation, which is led by Dindin Komarudin, provides the widest opportunity for scavengers to improve their welfare. One of them is by making a waste bank which has been very effective for them to meet their daily needs.

Kokom Komalawati, Head of the "Pangudi Luhur" Center said that this coordination meeting could bring together source systems from various parties to make the implementation of ATENSI scavengers successful. "We synergize, we collaborate in providing the best service for scavengers," he said.

This Coordination Meeting was attended by 34 participants who are partners of the office consisting of the Social Service, the Civil Service Police Unit and the Social Welfare Institution (LKS).