Mojokerto (ANTARA) - Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziyah, has appreciated PT Ittihad Rahmat Utama for supporting the government's COVID-19 vaccination program by offering free vaccinations to its workers in Mojokerto, East Java, under the Gotong Royong program.

While reviewing the implementation of the program for PT Ittihad Rahmat Utama (MPS Trowulan) workers in Mojokerto on Friday, she also presented an award to the company for providing vaccination services for workers.

"The COVID-19 vaccination for workers is part of strategic steps to restore and advance the industrial world," she said in a statement issued on Friday.

She emphasized the importance of increasing collaboration between the government, employers, and workers for overcoming employment challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID-19 vaccination program organized by the company for its workers is a tangible form of dealing with employment issues, especially in dealing with COVID-19," she said.

She said she hoped that the implementation of mass vaccinations for the community, including workers, would accelerate the achievement of communal immunity against COVID-19.

The Minister of Manpower also asked workers to remain disciplined in following the health protocols after getting vaccinated.

Related news: Gotong Royong Vaccine to contribute to fulfilling national target

"I keep reminding them. Even though workers have been vaccinated, they must remain disciplined in implementing health protocols," she said.

PT HM Sampoerna (Tbk) external affairs director Elvira Lianita said that around 1,700 workers have received COVID-19 vaccinations. "This is part of our support to achieve vaccination targets," she remarked.

As of July 30, 2021, more than 42 thousand, or around 65 percent, of all PT HM Sampoerna employees have been vaccinated against COVID-19, she informed.

"We are targeting and trying to make this vaccination able to reach 65 thousand employees of PT HM Sampoerna," Lianita said.

Minister Fauziyah had earlier encouraged labor inspectors and mediators to coordinate with the COVID-19 prevention task force team to oversee the implementation of emergency community activity restrictions (PPKM), especially for the protection of workers' rights.

Intensive coordination between the head of the Manpower Service at the provincial, district, and city level and other law enforcement officers during the emergency PPKM can create a favorable atmosphere for business continuity, she said.

"We do not want this emergency PPKM to create an atmosphere that is not conducive to business continuity. Hence, intensive coordination with other law enforcement officers is needed," Fauziyah noted in a statement received in Jakarta last week.

Related news: Gotong Royong a shot in the arm for COVID battle





Translator: Indra S, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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