Ministry admits leakages in Rp 1t projects<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower has admitted leakages
\nand irregularities in the labor-intensive projects worth Rp 1
\ntrillion intended for the unemployed and laid-off workers.<\/p>\n
Director General for Labor Placement Din Syamsuddin, who is in
\ncharge of the projects, revealed that the irregularities were
\nfound in the recruitment of participants and in implementation by
\nnon-governmental organizations (NGOs) and cooperatives.<\/p>\n
\"We admit many irregularities and leakages have been found in
\nuse of the project funds and project implementation,\" he said in
\na press conference here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
He also said that officials and NGOs proved to have embezzled
\nproject funds will be taken to court.<\/p>\n
The Ministry has spent Rp 600 billion to finance labor-
\nintensive projects for the unskilled unemployed and laid-off
\nworkers (known as the PDKMK program) in the provinces.<\/p>\n
According to Din some 16 million are now unemployed, while the
\nFederation of All Indonesian Workers Union has estimated 24
\nmillion Indonesians are now without jobs.<\/p>\n
The projects, which are carried out by provincial manpower
\nministry offices, comprise irrigation and road repairs, new road
\nworks and construction projects. Under this program, the ministry
\nhas employed around 2.5 million workers who are each paid around
\nRp 5,000 a day.<\/p>\n
The ministry has also spent Rp 400 billion on labor-intensive
\nprojects for skilled workers. Under this scheme, 69,000 skilled
\nworkers, who are each paid around Rp 300,000 per month, are
\ntrained in companies in the hope they might become entrepreneurs.
\nThis program is carried out by non-governmental organizations and
\ncooperatives.<\/p>\n
Din said he hoped there would be continued funds for the
\nskilled workers program, because this has greatly helped to ease
\nthe impact of dismissals on many professionals.<\/p>\n
The government has come in for fierce criticisms, both at home
\nand overseas, over irregularities in the social safety net
\nprogram aimed for those hardest hit by the prolonged crisis.<\/p>\n
Funds for the labor-intensive projects form part of loans
\nworth Rp 17.9 trillion for the social safety net program in the
\n1998-1999 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
Din said that in many cases, a large number of program
\nparticipants were not dismissed workers but youths, students and
\nrelatives of those in charge of the projects.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, there have been NGOs reported to have carried out
\nbogus projects,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Din declined to reveal the amount of leakages in the projects,
\nonly insisting they were still better managed than safety net
\nprograms in other ministries.<\/p>\n
He said that the Ministry of Manpower would evaluate the
\nprojects with all heads of provincial offices on Monday.<\/p>\n
Asked about the alleged collusion in the skilled workers'
\nprojects worth Rp 4.7 billion in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Din
\nsaid he supported an investigation into the case.<\/p>\n
The Medan-based Sinar Indonesia Baru daily reported Tuesday
\nthat the Deli Serdang prosecutor's office is still investigating
\nalleged corruption in the project carried out by a local NGO.<\/p>\n
Din added some good news: the Ministry was to hold a three-day
\nexhibition next week to expose numerous products manufactured
\nunder social safety net programs by several workers who have
\nsucceeded in becoming new entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n
\"Local businessmen and foreign trade attaches in the capital
\nare expected to attend the manpower ministry's Expo 99 and to
\ndevelop an interest in the products,\" he said. Products would
\ninclude footballs, farming technology and garments. (rms)<\/p>",
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