Gov’t Prepares Trial for Essential Industries to Operate Normally
Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita (Photo by: Ministry of Industry PR)
In a bid to boost national economic growth in an inclusive manner, Ministry of Industry has announced it is carrying out trial of the operation of essential industries with a 100-percent capacity, especially export-oriented and domestic and labor-intensive industries.
“Essential industries may only operate 50 percent of their capacity in one shift during the implementation of the community activity restrictions (PPKM),” Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said in Jakarta, Wednesday (18/08).
The trial, according to Agus, must be carried out with very strict health protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
The trial is in line with Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs Number 34 of 2021 on the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Levels 4, 3, and 2 for COVID-19 in the islands of Java and Bali.
Under the instruction, the 100 percent staff capacity will be divided into at least two shifts and the companies participating in the trial will be determined by Ministry of Industry.
The company and its employees are also required to use the PeduliLindungi app to screen people entering and leaving the company’s production facilities.
All companies participating in this trial are also required to follow the health protocols determined by Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Health with the trial being supervised by Ministry of Industry and local governments.
In addition, the trial is adjusted to Circular of Minister of Industry Number 3 of 2021 on Operational Permits and Mobility of Industrial Activities (IOMKI) during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Period.
In the circular, the criteria for essential industries that can carry out the trial, among others, are those having an active IOMKI, companies with an export-oriented or domestic essential industry type and part of the supply chains, located an area with PPKM level 4 status, and having commitment to implement health protocols in accordance with the circular.
As for industries that have implemented vaccination programs, they will be prioritized.
“As for the requirements (for participating in the trial), the company must have an IOMKI for each factory location and reports it regularly and must be willing to use the PeduliLindung app,” Agus said, adding that there are 268 companies in Java participating in the trial with a total of 448,505 employees.
“The number of workers who have been vaccinated in the first phase is 310,780 (69 percent) and workers who have been vaccinated in the second phase are 66,342 (21 percent),” he added.
Agus further said that if this trial is successfully carried out and there are no positive cases of COVID-19, the Ministry will allow all industries in Java-Bali to operate again. (Ministry of Industry PR/UN) (GWH/EP)
