Governor asks businesses to care for worker safety

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has underlined the need for company, factory and hotel owners to pay closer attention to the health and work safety of their employees.

"In this era of industrialization, I need to emphasize this matter as safety at work will become more crucial as a result of the ever continuing development of technology," Surjadi stressed.

The governor made the remark at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Thursday while presenting letters of appreciation to five companies based in Jakarta. All five are considered outstanding in providing safety facilities for their workers.

Also on hand at the ceremony were executive board members of the All Indonesian Labor Union (SPSI), chairman of the provincial chapter of the manpower department Freddy Tuamelly and Jon Richard from the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The hotel was among the companies being honored.

The four others are: PT Nippon Denso, PT Frische Flag, PT GS Battery and PT Showa Indonesia.

Surjadi pointed out that the campaign to popularize this program should be stepped up by holding various activities emphasizing the importance of the health and work safety in either state-owned or private companies.

"This is essential to boost awareness on the part of both employers and employees alike," he reiterated.

Referring to a spate of fires at factories in Jakarta over the past few months, Surjadi said, "These fires would not have happened if the employers and employees had been prepared before hand by drawing up a set of precautions."(bas)