The government has included all workers involved in COVID-19 management services in the occupational accident benefit (JKK) program.
Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah issued a circular signed on May 28 and directed to all governors across the archipelago that stated that workers involved in combating the pandemic were beneficiaries of the JKK program.
The circular explains that these workers include medical professionals treating COVID-19 patients, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, laboratory staff and medical specialists.
Non-medical workers at health facilities, such as janitors, cleaners, launderers and also volunteers, are also beneficiaries.
The circular was based on Presidential Regulation No. 7/2019 on work-related disease (PAK).
“Therefore, workers who suffer work-related illnesses, including COVID-19, are entitled to receive benefits through the JKK program in accordance with the prevailing regulations,” Ida said in a statement on Monday.
Furthermore, she urged governors to make sure workplaces with high COVID-19 risks implemented preventative measures.
The minister also asked such companies to register their workers with the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) to ensure they could access the JKK benefits.
“Employers that have yet to enroll their workers in the JKK program should compensate their workers with the same amount of benefits should they experience an occupational disease, as stipulated in the law,” Ida added.
If you want to help in the fight against COVID-19, we have compiled an up-to-date list of community initiatives designed to aid medical workers and low-income people in this article. Link: [UPDATED] Anti-COVID-19 initiatives: Helping Indonesia fight the outbreak
