Work accidents rising on Batam

BATAM, Riau: The local manpower office said workplace accidents were rising with 1,042 cases recorded last year.

The acting chief of the Batam manpower office, Siti Lestari, said there were 1,423 companies on Batam island.

These cases cost about Rp 1.8 billion (US$730,000) in medical treatment and new equipment.

She said the number of accidents was feared to be increasing with the number of companies on the fast developing island.

The high rate of workplace accidents was partly caused by employers' failure to promote work safety in line with the office's campaign, she said. (pan)