Jamsostek helps dismissed workers

JAKARTA (JP): About 260 dismissed workers in Bekasi received Rp 52 million (US$6,000) in aid from state-owned PT Jamsostek to help them survive during the economic crisis, a company official said on Thursday.

"Jamsostek will never keep silent over workers who have been dismissed due to the crisis. Even though the amount is small, the aid is expected to be helpful for them," Yusuf Raden, the firm's director of operations, said.

He said the aid was part of about Rp 4 billion set aside from Jamsostek's profits this year to help some 20,000 dismissed workers in Greater Jakarta.

The aid was aimed at enabling the jobless workers run petty businesses, such as selling eggs or rice in traditional markets in Bekasi, he said.

According to a 1998 decree issued by Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris, only dismissed workers who have participated in the social security program are entitled to the aid and allowed to take their pension funds from Jamsostek.

Alimin, the head of Jamsostek's Bekasi branch office, said that his office had paid Rp 11.2 billion in pension funds to more than 16,700 dismissed workers in the regency. (rms)