Workers not aware of new insurance scheme<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief found
\nyesterday during snap inspections at two companies in East
\nJakarta that the workers were unaware of the newly-introduced
\ninsurance program, Jamsostek.<\/p>\n
The new program, which is more comprehensive than the old one
\ncalled Astek, has a higher premium.<\/p>\n
During the inspections, which caught the managements of the
\ntwo private companies by surprise, the minister found that most
\nworkers were unfamiliar with their rights as well as the regional
\nminimum wage amount.<\/p>\n
Latief also found that even though the workers of PT Traktor
\nNusantara and PT Dyno Indria, both located in the Pulogadung
\nIndustrial Estate, still kept Astek insurance cards, they had not
\nreceived membership cards from the new insurance program.<\/p>\n
When asked by the minister whether he had received a new card,
\nTimbul Darma, an employee of the PT Traktor Nusantara, said \"No
\nsir, I don't know what Jamsostek is all about\".<\/p>\n
Timbul told Latief he had been working in the tractor
\nassembling plant for four years and that his monthly salary was
\nRp 160,000 (US$72), which the minister said meets the regulation
\non the regional minimum salary of Rp 4.600 ($2) per day.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Jakarta Military
\nCommand Mutiyoso and Col. Pamudji from the Jakarta Police, the
\nminister then proceeded to the nearby PT Dyno Indria, a glue
\nproducing company.<\/p>\n
Here Latief found that Jamsostek insurance cards had not been
\ndistributed to the 360 employees because they were still being
\nprocessed by the company's personnel department.<\/p>\n
\"Have you had Astek cards?\" Latief asked worker Siti
\nMusarifah, who had been working there for eight years and was
\nreceiving a monthly salary of Rp 150,000.<\/p>\n
\"I don't have a card, sir,\" the woman answered.<\/p>\n
The minister requested that the company distribute the cards
\nsoon. He also called on the management to inform the workers
\nabout Jamsostek.<\/p>\n
\"Basically, the two companies have carried out their duties
\nbut the administrative work should be improved,\" Latief said.<\/p>\n
The minister told the management of PT Dyno Indria and
\nreporters that his ministry welcomes any worker wishing to
\nregister a complaint about the way an employer handles an
\nemployee's rights.<\/p>\n
\"We urged them to do so and we will pay their transportation
\nfee,\" he said.<\/p>\n
By law private companies are required to provide their workers
\nwith social security cards. They may face a maximum fine of Rp 50
\nmillion or six months imprisonment for breaking or ignoring the
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
The premium each company pays for insurance was increased when
\nPT Astek, the state-owned workers' insurance company, changed its
\nscheme from Astek to Jamsostek recently.<\/p>\n
Reports said that since the premium increased many companies
\nhave been reluctant to pay.<\/p>\n
Data from the Ministry of Manpower says that there are now 48
\ncompanies being legally processed for breaking the law.<\/p>\n
\"In December we will announce all their names,\" the minister
\nsaid. (03\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-not-aware-of-new-insurance-scheme-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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