SAFETY FIRST:

JP/alx

Vice President Try Sutrisno (right) presents a Zero Accident Award certificate and plaque to PT ISM Bogasari director Franky Welirang.

The Surabaya based company was among the 66 companies to be presented an award by Try here yesterday for their success in providing safety protection for their workers.

One of the companies, PT Pupuk Kujang, has received the award for 10 consecutive years.

The Vice President called on national enterprises to prioritize workers' safety and their welfare despite the economic crisis.

"In such a difficult situation, workers and employees must also understand the hardship faced by their companies and actively participate to solve the problem," Try said during a brief ceremony at Merdeka Selatan Palace.

Try said it would be easier to restore companies' performance if management and employees worked shoulder to shoulder.

Recipients of the award included the PT Indofood Sukses Makmur plant in Cibitung, Bekasi, PT Flour Daniel Indonesia, Sanur Aerowisata Hotel in Bali, and PT Gudang Garam. (prb)