Sumenep Regency Distributes Cash Aid to 2,600 Tobacco Farmers and Factory Workers

The Sumenep Regency government in East Java has initiated a direct cash assistance program, distributing funds from tobacco excise revenue sharing to support thousands of workers in the tobacco sector. This initiative aims to bolster the welfare of both tobacco farmers and factory employees.

According to Abd Rahman Riadi, Head of the Sumenep Social Affairs, Women's Empowerment, and Child Protection Office, a total of 2,600 individuals will benefit from the BLT-DBHCHT program this year. The recipients comprise 1,632 workers from 61 cigarette factories in the regency and 968 tobacco farmers spread across 30 villages.

The data for beneficiaries was compiled through collaboration between regional perangkat daerah. The Department of Food Security and Agriculture provided data for tobacco farmers, while the Department of Manpower supplied information on factory workers. To qualify for the aid, recipients must be residents of Sumenep, work as tobacco farmers or factory workers, and not hold positions as civil servants, military/police personnel, retirees, contract government employees, or village officials.

Each beneficiary will receive Rp300,000 per month for June, July, and August, with the total amount of Rp900,000 disbursed in a single payment. The Sumenep Regency government has allocated over Rp2.3 billion for this BLT-DBHCHT program, with the funds being distributed through BPRS Bhakti Sumekar Sumenep.

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The distribution of this assistance is a concrete effort by the regional government to improve the welfare of workers in the tobacco sector.