11.1m poor live in Central Java

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)