"Industrial factories that conduct their operations and mobility during the pandemic must implement strict health protocols," Acting Director-General of Small, Medium and Multifarious Industries (IKMA) of the Industry Ministry Reni Yanita stated on Saturday.
To ensure the implementation of health protocols, Yanita, accompanied by spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Febri Hendri, visited industrial companies having the industrial operation and mobility permit (IOMKI) -- PT A.W. Faber-Castell Indonesia and PT Yamaha Music Manufacturing Asia in Bekasi, West Java, -- on August 26.
The two factories fall in the essential sectors included in the health protocol trial during PPKM by operating at 100-percent capacity, so they can meet the needs of the domestic and export markets.
"We want to ensure that they have implemented health protocols and COVID-19 prevention measures, especially companies classified as critical and essential, so that productivity and workforce are maintained," Yanita affirmed.
This strategic step will continue to be taken while still prioritizing public safety and national economic recovery, she reiterated.
PT A.W. Faber-Castell Indonesia, founded in 1990, is a manufacturer of pencils and colored pencils. This German company has a total workforce of 453 people.
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Director of PT A.W. Faber-Castell Indonesia FX Gianto Setiadi remarked that in a bid to implement health protocols, the company had set up a COVID-19 Prevention Task Force team. As many as 324 workers, or 71.5 percent, had also participated in the vaccination program.
The other endeavor to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the factory environment was to run two employee shifts by ensuring 50-percent capacity per shift.
In addition, the factory is providing masks and vitamins, conducting swab tests, spraying disinfectants regularly, screening using the PeduliLindungi application, providing shelters for workers exposed to COVID-19, and implementing 6M and 3T.
Meanwhile, PT Yamaha Music Manufacturing Asia is a company engaged in the manufacture of electronic musical instruments, such as digital pianos, digital drums, analog mixers, and digital mixers, which are marketed to 53 countries. PT Yamaha Music Manufacturing Asia is a Japanese company, with a current workforce of 4,153 people.
President Director of PT Yamaha Music Manufacturing Asia Toshiaki Goto affirmed that the company's efforts in implementing health protocols comprised forming a Task Force team to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and running an industrial vaccination program.
"We witnessed first-hand that implementation of the health protocols in the two companies was in accordance with the policies set by the government. This can be an example for other industries,” Yanita emphasized.
She later noted that industry is one of the vital economic sectors for Indonesia, as it contributes to state revenue through the achievement of investment value, exports, and taxes, and also plays a role in employment.
"The IOMKI regulation is the government's effort to keep the industrial sector operating productively, safely, and under control during this pandemic," she remarked.
In addition to keeping production activities in the industrial sector running, the IOMKI grant also regulates and supervises the implementation of health protocols strictly and consistently by the company management and workers.
Related news: Govt has identified companies permitted for full operation trial
Translator: Risbiani F, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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