Sidoarjo Disburses Rp1.2 Billion Incentive To Digger COVID-19 Graves

SIDOARJO - The Sidoarjo Regency Government of East Java has disbursed incentives for officers to dig graves of COVID-19 patients at the Delta Praloyo cemetery complex, Sidoarjo, worth IDR 1.2 billion for five people.

Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali said grave diggers have earned their rights by receiving regular salaries every month.

"Only, what the five grave diggers have not received are incentives. The incentives have not been given because of the policy transition period from the previous era," he said in Sidoarjo, quoted by Antara, Saturday, July 3.

He said the incentives were quite large, each person getting Rp. 1 million for each grave pit with a total of five tomb-digging teams.

"So the budget issued by the district government for each grave is Rp. 5 million. The estimated total incentive is around Rp. 1.2 billion," he said.

Ahmad Muhdlor said he would evaluate the high incentive value of grave diggers because compared to health workers, the incentives for grave diggers are still higher.

Previously, Gus Muhdlor - as he is known - had met the five grave diggers at the Praloyo tomb complex, Gebang Lingkar Timur village.

Gus Muhdlor accepted their complaint and immediately resolved the issue of incentives that had not been paid for approximately 7 months.

During the meeting, Gus Muhdlor also asked for his understanding if there would be a change in the incentives they received because the amount so far has been considered fantastic.

However, Gus Muhdlor realized that the task of digging the COVID-19 grave was not as easy and full of risks as the health workers at the COVID-19 hospital.

"Their task is difficult, as recently as 20 holes per day have been prepared. That amount is for one day's funeral. But they are all committed to their work," said Gus Mudhlor.