`Workers unaware of health benefits'
`Workers unaware of health benefits'
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Perhaps only a small percentage, if any, of the 24 million
workers covered by the government-run social security program,
have received the first class medical treatment they are entitled
to at appointed hospitals under the government-run health care
scheme after occupational accidents.
Most do not know that medical costs for such incidents are
fully covered by PT Jamsostek, the state-owned insurance company
that runs the social security program.
As a result, many low-income workers, who get injured on the
job have to get loans from their neighbors or colleagues to get
medical treatment, while many others simply cannot afford
adequate medical care and become handicapped or die due to a lack
of medical treatment.
In several cases, many people who have suffered serious
injuries due to workplace accidents, have had their hands or legs
amputated because of belated medical care.
The 2002 data from Jamsostek showed that an average of 443
occupational accidents befell its 24 million workers everyday,
and the death toll for its members averaged eight per day.
According to the trend from 1996 throughout 2002, the number
of occupational accidents is expected to double in the next ten
years.
Meanwhile, of 108,000 private and state companies
participating in the social security program, only a small
percentage have been compensated for the medical costs incurred
as a result of workplace accidents.
Most workers and employers have failed to take advantage of
the health care scheme because of their lack of understanding
and/or due to the complicated procedure.
Many workers assume that they only have a right to third-rate
medical care and that just a portion of their medical costs were
covered by the health scheme.
Dr. Emir Bernas Soendoro, an orthopedic surgeon at the state-
run Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, reminded all workers who
are part of the social security program, of their right to first-
class medical treatment at certain hospitals which are
Jamsostek's partners in the health care scheme.
"According to a government regulation enforcing Law No 3/1992
on social security programs, participants (workers) involved in
occupational accidents have the right to first-class medical
service up to a maximum cost of Rp 6.4 million," he said over the
weekend.
He conceded that many low-income factory workers -- also those
most likely to get injured at work -- considered themselves
second class citizens so they rarely complained about inadequate
medical treatment.
The law requires employers to pay six percent of their married
workers' monthly salaries for the health care scheme.
In addition, journalists who become victims of violence while
covering violent stories such as war or demonstrations, are also
entitled to top notch medical care and compensation from
Jamsostek, but rarely receive it.
Emir declined to comment when asked why Jamsostek had been
less than proactive in disseminating information about the health
care scheme, but instead referred to the number of hospital
partnerships the company had.
"Jamsostek needs to increase partnerships with hospitals
first, so we can improve service for workers," he explained.
Jamsostek's Operation Director Joko Sungkono admitted his
company was not proactive about letting people know what they
were entitled to, but said it was developing trauma centers in
its partner hospitals for injured workers.
"So far we have succeeded in setting up ten centers valued at
Rp 3 billion, complete with ambulances, and they are in hospitals
adjacent to industrial zones in the country. Some 24 more are
still being prepared in other hospitals," he said.
Emir appreciated the establishment of the trauma centers but
said workers employed in industrial zones should have a special
area at the hospitals to provide special services for them.
"The establishment of such a labor pavilion is cheaper than a
labor hospital that could cost more than Rp 100 billion," he
stated.