PMKS

Penyandang Masalah Kesejahteraan Sosial, or PMKS, is the Indonesian term used to designate individuals or groups that require social protection due to various welfare-related vulnerabilities. It is a policy-oriented classification rather than a legal status, applied by national and local governments to identify people in need of social services and protective interventions.

The scope of PMKS covers a broad range of situations and groups identified by government authorities as needing assistance. Typical categories include the homeless, beggars, street children, and other individuals experiencing significant social hardship. The designation can also encompass persons with psychosocial problems, victims of violence or exploitation, elderly people in need, persons with disabilities, and others deemed by authorities to require social protection. The exact composition of PMKS groups can vary by locality and over time as policies evolve.

In practice, PMKS protection and assistance are coordinated by social welfare agencies, particularly the Ministry of Social Affairs and regional governments. Social workers (Pekerja Sosial Masyarakat) conduct outreach, assess needs, coordinate services, and facilitate referrals. Available programs may include emergency shelters, transitional housing, rehabilitation or reintegration support, family counseling, skills training, and access to health and education services. Implementation often involves collaboration with non-governmental organizations and community groups to broaden outreach and accessibility.

Data and policy instruments support PMKS programs, with information systems such as the Data Terpadu Kesejahteraan Sosial (DTKS) used to track beneficiaries and allocate resources. While PMKS helps target welfare interventions, it is not synonymous with citizenship status or entitlement, and its use aims to promote protection, prevention, and reintegration for vulnerable populations. See also: Pekerja Sosial Masyarakat; Kementerian Sosial; DTKS.