Work accidents commonplace

SEMARANG: The head of the Ministry of Manpower's provincial office, Bambang Hudi, has reported that 1,112 work-related accidents took place in 1996 in the municipality of Semarang and in the regencies of Kendal and Demak.

Thirty-two people died as a result, he said, but only the relatives of 23 received compensation. The remaining nine were not insured.

In addition, 75 people were permanently disabled while 1,005 others were temporarily disabled and put out of work.

Bambang was speaking at a press conference to announce the Month of Safe and Healthy Work campaign, which started yesterday.

The three cities mentioned have 2,484 companies in operation, with 121,598 male workers and 69,299 female workers. The number of foreign workers in the areas is 476, 30 of whom are female.

A reported 131,658 workers at 1,384 of the companies are insured. (swe)