Labor-intensive programs prioritized<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): New Minister of Public Works Rahmadi Bambang
\nSumadhijo said yesterday his office would focus on labor-
\nintensive projects to help ease the country's unemployment
\nproblem.<\/p>\n
Rahmadi said the labor-intensive program would include road
\nmaintenance and irrigation development projects.<\/p>\n
He said the projects would employ laborers who have lost their
\njobs due to the economic crisis, which began last July. Many of
\nthe country's companies have been forced to halt their
\nactivities, leaving hundreds of thousands of workers newly
\nunemployed.<\/p>\n
\"The ministry has allocated a budget of more than Rp 1
\ntrillion (US$100 million) for the labor-intensive program
\ncovering fiscal year 1998\/1999,\" Rahmadi said after a ceremony in
\nwhich outgoing minister Radinal Moochtar handed him the
\nministry's reins.<\/p>\n
Rahmadi said his office would also focus on facilitating the
\nsmooth distribution of basic public necessities, especially rice.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, which became self-sufficient in rice several years
\nago, will import millions of tons of rice this year from several
\ncountries across the region due to domestic supply shortages.<\/p>\n
The country's rice output has been decreased due to a long El
\nNio-induced drought.<\/p>\n
Increased rice prices over the past few months has prompted
\nsome people to loot shops in several areas due to a lack of cash.<\/p>\n
Several countries have sent or pledged food aid to help
\nIndonesia cope with the food crisis.<\/p>\n
Rahmadi said his ministry would coordinate with local regents
\nto map out locations in need of infrastructure rehabilitation as
\nwell as areas with laid-off workers.<\/p>\n
Rahmadi, who earned a doctorate degree from the University of
\nMaryland in the United States, previously held the post of
\ndirector general of human settlement in the ministry. (jsk)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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