10 Percent Of Workers Positive For COVID-19, KSPI: Worrying And Dangerous

Illustration- Workers during a demonstration/ VOI

JAKARTA - President of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) Said Iqbal said around 10 percent of factory or manufacturing workers were exposed to COVID-19.

According to him, this is very worrying and endangers the survival of the business world and the lives of workers.

The figure of 10 percent of manufacturing workers exposed to COVID-19 is based on information in the field. Namely from a number of labor-intensive and capital-intensive labor companies in the Jabodetabek, Karawang, Purwakarta, Serang, Cilegon, Batam, Makassar, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Surabaya, Pasuruan, Medang, Semarang, Kendal, industrial areas.

"Shocking and worrying data and facts were obtained during Emergency PPKM to this day. More than 10 percent of workers in the manufacturing or processing sector, both labor-intensive and capital-intensive, are labor-intensive or capital-intensive. 19," Said Iqbal said in an online discussion, Thursday, July 15.

This result was obtained after the company collaborated with the COVID-19 Task Force in their respective regions by carrying out an antigen-based swab test.

"If it is found to be reactive, it will be followed by a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) swab test. The cost of the antigen and PCR tests is carried out by the company," he said.

Furthermore, Iqbal explained that from the tests carried out, many workers were later found to be positive for COVID-19. He even gave an example of a factory in the Purwakarta area where 400 of the 1,700 workers were declared reactive when carrying out a swab test or antigen swab test.

Furthermore, of the 400 workers who were declared reactive, 200 of them tested positive for COVID-19 after carrying out a PCR swab test.

Iqbal said KSPI also received similar data from a number of factories and companies. "For example, automotive factories, automotive component factories, electronics factories, electronic components, data obtained from more than 10 percent of workers exposed to COVID-19," he said.

"Even in Karawang, the Regent of Karawag admitted, confirming that in one company the employees who were positive for COVID-19 ranged from 100 to 400 people. In Bekasi several large multinational electronics companies also experienced the same thing," added Iqbal.

Not only that, he also explained that there is an automotive company in Bekasi whose employees have tested positive for COVID-19 to more than 15 people. In fact, at a company in the Purwakarta area there were 20 workers who died due to exposure to COVID-19.

So, this should be a concern because it endangers many aspects, including the lives of workers who cannot work from home (WHF) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is very worrying and endangers the survival of the business world and the lives of workers," he concluded.