COVID-19 Cases Soar, Minister Of Manpower Ida Fauziyah Asks Companies To Tighten Prokes To Protect Workers

Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah when giving a press statement. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah asked companies to tighten the implementation of health protocols (prokes) to protect workers, in line with the recent surge in cases of COVID-19 transmission.

"Regarding the spike in COVID-19 cases that occurred in several areas, we remind companies to apply the COVID-19 prevention protocol in their respective workplaces," said the Minister of Manpower in a written statement received in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, 16 June.

Ida said the key in breaking the chain of transmission in the workplace is the discipline of all parties in implementing health protocols. The implementation of health protocols is also part of efforts to protect business continuity.

"We prioritize the safety of workers by preventing the spread of the pandemic in the workplace. If everything improves, we hope that business productivity will gradually recover, and the national economy will also gradually return to normal," she said.

Since the beginning of the emergence of COVID-19, the Ministry of Manpower has issued several regulations for the prevention and control of COVID-19. One of them is the Circular Letter (SE) of the Minister of Manpower Number M/3/HK.04/III/2020 concerning Protection of Workers/Labourers and Business Continuity in the Context of Prevention and Control of COVID-19.

Precautionary rules are important and should be strictly enforced in the workplace. The reason is that this regulation helps companies and offices in planning for the prevention of COVID-19.

"By following the rules, implementing health protocols, we will be able to suppress the spread or new clusters in the workplace," she said.

The Ministry of Manpower has also carried out socialization and direct supervision to various industrial areas, shopping centers, to hotels.

Based on her monitoring, she sees that business actors are aware of complying with health protocols in the workplace because maintaining safety and business continuity is our shared responsibility.

Not only that, but the Ministry of Manpower has also compiled guidelines for returning to work, protecting workers in the Work Accident Insurance (JKK) program in cases of COVID-19 due to work, increasing labor development and inspection, and increasing collaboration with stakeholders.

"We also carry out socialization and publications through the Corona K3 Command Post, the K3 service system portal (K3 Friends), as well as through various communication channels so that the message is conveyed to entrepreneurs, workers, and the wider community," she said.