`Workers unaware of health benefits'<\/p>\n
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Perhaps only a small percentage, if any, of the 24 million
\nworkers covered by the government-run social security program,
\nhave received the first class medical treatment they are entitled
\nto at appointed hospitals under the government-run health care
\nscheme after occupational accidents.<\/p>\n
Most do not know that medical costs for such incidents are
\nfully covered by PT Jamsostek, the state-owned insurance company
\nthat runs the social security program.<\/p>\n
As a result, many low-income workers, who get injured on the
\njob have to get loans from their neighbors or colleagues to get
\nmedical treatment, while many others simply cannot afford
\nadequate medical care and become handicapped or die due to a lack
\nof medical treatment.<\/p>\n
In several cases, many people who have suffered serious
\ninjuries due to workplace accidents, have had their hands or legs
\namputated because of belated medical care.<\/p>\n
The 2002 data from Jamsostek showed that an average of 443
\noccupational accidents befell its 24 million workers everyday,
\nand the death toll for its members averaged eight per day.<\/p>\n
According to the trend from 1996 throughout 2002, the number
\nof occupational accidents is expected to double in the next ten
\nyears.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, of 108,000 private and state companies
\nparticipating in the social security program, only a small
\npercentage have been compensated for the medical costs incurred
\nas a result of workplace accidents.<\/p>\n
Most workers and employers have failed to take advantage of
\nthe health care scheme because of their lack of understanding
\nand\/or due to the complicated procedure.<\/p>\n
Many workers assume that they only have a right to third-rate
\nmedical care and that just a portion of their medical costs were
\ncovered by the health scheme.<\/p>\n
Dr. Emir Bernas Soendoro, an orthopedic surgeon at the state-
\nrun Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, reminded all workers who
\nare part of the social security program, of their right to first-
\nclass medical treatment at certain hospitals which are
\nJamsostek's partners in the health care scheme.<\/p>\n
\"According to a government regulation enforcing Law No 3\/1992
\non social security programs, participants (workers) involved in
\noccupational accidents have the right to first-class medical
\nservice up to a maximum cost of Rp 6.4 million,\" he said over the
\nweekend.<\/p>\n
He conceded that many low-income factory workers -- also those
\nmost likely to get injured at work -- considered themselves
\nsecond class citizens so they rarely complained about inadequate
\nmedical treatment.<\/p>\n
The law requires employers to pay six percent of their married
\nworkers' monthly salaries for the health care scheme.<\/p>\n
In addition, journalists who become victims of violence while
\ncovering violent stories such as war or demonstrations, are also
\nentitled to top notch medical care and compensation from
\nJamsostek, but rarely receive it.<\/p>\n
Emir declined to comment when asked why Jamsostek had been
\nless than proactive in disseminating information about the health
\ncare scheme, but instead referred to the number of hospital
\npartnerships the company had.<\/p>\n
\"Jamsostek needs to increase partnerships with hospitals
\nfirst, so we can improve service for workers,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
Jamsostek's Operation Director Joko Sungkono admitted his
\ncompany was not proactive about letting people know what they
\nwere entitled to, but said it was developing trauma centers in
\nits partner hospitals for injured workers.<\/p>\n
\"So far we have succeeded in setting up ten centers valued at
\nRp 3 billion, complete with ambulances, and they are in hospitals
\nadjacent to industrial zones in the country. Some 24 more are
\nstill being prepared in other hospitals,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Emir appreciated the establishment of the trauma centers but
\nsaid workers employed in industrial zones should have a special
\narea at the hospitals to provide special services for them.<\/p>\n
\"The establishment of such a labor pavilion is cheaper than a
\nlabor hospital that could cost more than Rp 100 billion,\" he
\nstated.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-unaware-of-health-benefits-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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