Relocation of batik factories creates more jobs: Official<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta Mayor's office is denying
\nnewspaper reports that the relocation of batik factories from
\nSetiabudi district, South Jakarta, to areas outside the city has
\ncreated unemployment problems.<\/p>\n
\"That's not true. Instead, it has created more jobs,\" M.
\nYanis, a spokesman for the mayor's office, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Yanis said Tuesday that relocating the factories has created
\njobs since most of the factories have expanded their business.<\/p>\n
\"Many of the owners have expanded their businesses in the new
\nlocations. One, for example, who used to own a 500-square-meter
\nfactory in Setiabudi, is now building a factory of 2,000 square
\nmeters. Consequently, if before he had only 15 workers, now he
\nneeds at least 30,\" Yanis said.<\/p>\n
Most batik factory owners in Setiabudi have relocated to
\nlocations outside the city such as Jabeka Cikarang and Lippo City
\nin Bekasi, Kerawang and Balaraja in Tangerang and Parung Panjang
\nin Bogor.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged, however, that not all batik workers from
\nSetiabudi district were willing to move to new locations outside
\nJakarta partly because they now must spend more money for
\ntransportation because the factories are located far away from
\ntheir homes.<\/p>\n
Despite its positive effects, the expansion has also caused an
\nunexpected delay in relocating a number of factories, which in
\nturn has caused the owners to temporarily lay off their workers.<\/p>\n
A number of workers at factories along the Gang Sidik area,
\nSetiabudi district, for example, fell victim to the relocation.<\/p>\n
\"I and my friends will return to our hometowns in Central and
\nEast Java pending the construction of the new factories,\" a
\nworker related.<\/p>\n
Relocating the factories from Setiabudi, located in the heart
\nof the city, is based on the 1985-2005 municipal spatial plan.
\nUnder the master plan, the area is slated for residences and
\noffice complexes.<\/p>\n
Responsibility<\/p>\n
Batik factories are being targeted first because the mayoralty
\nbelieves their waste is responsible for polluting the Krukut
\nRiver, which runs through the capital.<\/p>\n
Yanis said formerly 7,000 people worked at 180 factories in
\nSetiabudi district. Of this number, some 3,000 remain employed at
\nthe three largest factories still operating.<\/p>\n
The three factories; PT Windueka, PT ADRM and PT Batik Afri,
\nreceived a a special permit allowing them to remain open until
\n1995, while the others were closed down by the city
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
Rudjito, chief of the South Jakarta Industry office, said the
\nthree were granted the extra year because a feasibility study
\nshowed it was difficult for them to move their machinery within a
\nyear. (has\/11)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/relocation-of-batik-factories-creates-more-jobs-official-1447893297",
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