7,000 MSMEs Register for Private Covid-19 Vaccination Scheme: Indonesia Business Chamber

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that 7,000 micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) have registered for the Covid-19 jab drive to run alongside the government-led mass vaccination program.

“We see that the vaccination drive has been well-received when we look at the number of companies who register for the program. So far, 7,000 MSMEs have registered with us,” said Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, head of the business group, in a broadcast message on Wednesday, May, 19.

Rosan said that MSMEs that already have legal status and intend to participate in the private vaccination scheme can directly register with the Indonesian business chamber. He said that the covid-19 pandemic has affected the business sector and MSME is no exception.

Also read: Indonesia Starts ‘Gotong Royong’ Vaccination Scheme for Private Sector on May 17

Therefore, he called on the MSMEs to participate in the private inoculation program, which is also known as the Gotong Royong (mutual cooperation) vaccination program through the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry official website.

Meanwhile, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir also said that the Gotong Royong vaccination scheme is open for MSMEs. However, Erick said, it is up to the MSMEs to decide whether they will participate in the private inoculation scheme or the government vaccination program, which is free of charge.

“MSMEs have 2 options, whether they want to contribute or to participate in the government programs. We will not force MSMEs to pay [for the vaccine],” he said.

Also read: Indonesia Highlights: Jakarta Police Arrest Dozens in May Day Protests | Indonesian Chamber of Commerce [Kadin] to Introduce Gotong Royong Vaccine Program | Overseas Arrivals at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

Indonesia set a target of vaccinating about 180 million citizens in a year to contain the spread of Covid-19 and reach the herd community in a vaccination program that started in January.

Private companies in Indonesia start the Gotong Royong (mutual cooperation) jabs for their employees on Monday, May. Based on the Health Ministerial Regulation (Permenkes) No. 10/2021, the cost of acquiring the vaccines will be borne by the employers, while the vaccine will be administered to the employees at no cost.

President Director of Indonesia's state-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma Honesti Basyir said two Chinese-made vaccines, Sinopharm and CanSino, will be used for the Gotong Royong Vaccination Program.

(Writer: Elsa Catriana | Editor: Erlangga Djumena)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/05/19/151200926/kadin--7.000-umkm-daftar-ikut-vaksinasi-gotong-royong.