11.1m poor live in Central Java

SEMARANG: Central Java Governor Mardiyanto said on Tuesday about 11.1 million or 36.7 percent of the province's total population are living below the poverty line.

"Some 318,000 are jobless and about 6.18 million others are considered underemployed (as they work less than 35 hours per week)," Mardiyanto said while addressing a seminar on economy and population here in Semarang.

It is a challenge for the local administration to improve people's welfare for the future, Mardiyanto said.

Development of small-scale industries as well as agricultural sectors could hopefully overcome the high rate of unemployment, he added. (har/edt)