Rp 13.5b paid by social security

TANGERANG (JP): The local office of state social security agency PT Jamsostek has paid out Rp 13.51 billion to 2,649 members in the first nine months of the year, its chief said on Friday.

Salim R.H. Toha said the amount was much higher than the previous year, without disclosing figures for 1997.

Recipients were people recently dismissed by their companies in the continuing crisis.

He estimated that Tangerang would record a total of 40,000 laid-off workers and 342 retired employees from 1,500 firms this year.

"Jamsostek has allocated Rp 40 billion for the dismissed workers and some Rp 560 million for the retired employees," Salim said.

He did not elaborate on the average amount of payments to the recipients. (41/ivy)