Victims Of Death Of Nickel Smelter Explosion In Morowali Get Compensation Of IDR 600 Million

The explosion of the PT. Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS) smelter in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, killed 18 people. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) provided compensation of Rp600 million for each victim of a work accident due to the explosion of a smelter stove at the PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS) factory.

ITSS itself is one of the tenants operating in the Indonesian Industrial Estate Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), Morowali, Central Sulawesi. The accident occurred on Sunday morning, December 24, 2023.

"As a form of responsibility and concern for the company, PT IMIP itself will provide compensation for the victims who died in the disaster. The amount of compensation provided by PT IMIP is Rp600 million for each victim," said Head of the Media Relations Division of PT IMIP Dedy Kurniawan, Wednesday, December 27.

Dedy said that PT IMIP had also previously distributed initial compensation of Rp. 25 million per person for each victim who died. Including the cost of delivering the bodies until they arrive at their respective families' homes.

Not only that, PT IMIP has coordinated with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, to provide other compensation. As a result, the victims who died will receive compensation that will be received by their heirs, in the form of compensation guarantees 48 times from the lowest basic wage.

"The lowest basic wage in the IMIP Area is Rp. 3,675,000 or equivalent to Rp. 174,400,000. The funeral funds for the bodies were also given amounting to Rp. 10 million," he said.

In addition, continued Dedy, periodic compensation was also given at once amounting to Rp12 million, and Old Age Security (JHT) which was paid at once worth the contributions paid to each worker. Each fatality victim will also receive pension guarantees for those who work less than a year to be paid as well as according to the contributions that have been paid.

"Meanwhile, those who work for more than a year will be paid a periodic pension in accordance with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan provisions," he said.

PT IMIP also ensures that victims who die who have school-age children will receive maximum education compensation for their two children, from kindergarten (TK) to college level.

For the victims who are still receiving intensive care at the Morowali Hospital in Bungku, PT IMIP has guaranteed that the medical expenses are fully borne. During the treatment of PT IMIP also ensures that all victims' needs while in the hospital will be met, both physically and psychologically.

"This is done as a form of concern and concern for those who have become victims," he explained.

There were 18 Death Tolls

Based on data as of December 26, 2023, Dedy said there were 18 people who died. Among them 10 Indonesian workers and eight foreign workers from China.

The victims who died, continued Dedy, had been dispatched to their respective families' homes as a form of quick and intensive response by PT IMIP.

Dedy said that the departure of each body was accompanied by representatives from the PT IMIP Communication team, the HRD team from each company or tenant from the worker to the residence of the victim's family.

"Especially for foreign workers, PT IMIP has coordinated with the competent authorities in the departure of the bodies of the victims to Makassar, before being flown to China," he said.