192,000 people temporarily hired

BREBES, Central Java: As of Tuesday, the local administration had hired as many as 192,000 people who had lost their jobs in labor-intensive projects such as building dams, cleaning drains and rivers and renovating city roads, an official said.

Regent Samsudin Sagiman told The Jakarta Post that the National Development Planning Board had distributed Rp 1.63 billion to pay for the fees for 80 working days. Each worker, who is required to work from 7 a.m till noon, will be paid Rp 4,000 (US$ 53 cents) per week.

"I hope this project can run smoothly. Moreover, it is useful for the workers who have been laid off to earn an income to help them celebrate Idul Fitri," he said. (har/09)