Road workers' safety

Road workers' safety

From Neraca

Government efforts to implement the Safety and Health Program (K-3) for workers appear not to be getting the appropriate attention from some companies. What has happened?

The fact is that road workers, who mostly work in the open air -- like PAM (water company) or power cable diggers -- are still not properly geared with safety equipment.

One example I recently noted is the road work along the Shangrila Hotel road. Road workers kept working during a cold evening in drizzling rain without the support of proper lighting equipment.

Although they are just temporary workers, they are working for the tender winner of a state company. It obviously does not make sense, because although the government is trying hard to make the K-3 program work, there are still some state companies using the services of private companies which do not show concern for road workers' safety and health.

We have the impression that they do not have the least care for the road workers. It could be that their only concern is how to make the most out of very little. This theory is applicable in economic laws. It is unethical, however, if the fate of road workers is at stake. In fact, these people are working under dangerous conditions.

It is true that they are only road workers, but they are also human beings and are thus entitled to the same human rights as others. Do not discriminate against them merely because of their profession.

CHAERUDIN AMRI

Jakarta