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Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah symbolically hands assistance to laid-off workers, who were hired to spray disinfectants, in Jakarta on Friday (June 12, 2020). (ANTARA/Prisca Triferna/ac)

The Manpower Minister has said her ministry will supervise the implementation of the new normal in the world of work, and companies will likely face sanctions if they fail to enforce health protocols.

"The Ministry of Manpower will provide guidance and supervision. The first (priority) is certainly to provide guidance," said Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah, after leading a disinfection drive in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, on Friday.

To ensure that business operations are carried out in accordance with the health protocol, the COVID-19 Occupational Safety and Health Command Post, set up at the beginning of the pandemic, would provide consultation services, which would be mostly available online, the minister informed. However, if required, officers from the Ministry of Manpower would come down directly to the workplace, she added.

The minister underlined administrative sanctions would be imposed if there is evidence of health code violations in the new normal.

"What we are prioritizing is providing guidance on how companies can continue to run their business, while remaining productive, (and) at the same time, making sure that the health of their workers is protected," she said.

The Ministry of Manpower, she stressed, will initially supervise the process via online modes, and if further steps are needed, then, it will send officers to the concerned locations.

Minister Fauziyah said it would be ensured that though the initial supervision is conducted online, it does not reduce the quality of the supervision itself.

Earlier, Circular Letter Number M / 7 / AS.02.02 / V / 2020 was issued by the Manpower Minister on the Business Continuity Plan in Dealing with COVID-19 Pandemic and Prevention Protocol of COVID-19 Transmission in the Company to provide protection to workers and ensure business continuity.

The letter stated that entrepreneurs would be expected to recognize business priorities, identify pandemic risks, plan risk mitigation, identify pandemic impact responses, design and implement business continuity plans, communicate business continuity plans, and conduct business continuity planning tests.

In addition, the letter dated May 20, 2020 also emphasized the need for the application of health protocols in the workplace to prevent COVID-19 transmission. (ANTARA)