Free medical cure for workers

JAKARTA (JP): PT Jamsostek, a state-owned insurance company running social security for workers, provided free medical treatment for about 1,000 workers.

The services for five companies' workers at the Pulogadung industrial zone in East Jakarta marked the firm's 19th anniversary.

The company's Director of Operations, Budi Maryoto, who witnessed the medical treatment Tuesday, said PT Jamsostek had paid Rp 624 billion (US$261.20 million) in workers' compensation to September this year.

"Rp 220.24 billion was paid for over 493,239 occupational accidents; Rp 356.13 billion for 730,000 workers entering retirement and Rp 47.66 billion for 66,699 workers who died in work-related accidents," he said.

The 1993 social security law rules companies that employ 10 or more people and pay at least Rp 1 million in monthly salaries must register workers in health programs.

PT Jamsostek deducts 3.7 percent of its workers' monthly salaries and contributes another 6.3 percent.

Budi said the company would increase the number of program participants from 10 million workers from 65,600 companies to about 14.5 million in the 1997/98 fiscal year. (rms)