81,456 workers lose jobs

JAKARTA (JP): A total of 81,456 people have been fired and another 3,381 laid off across the capital since January because of the deteriorating economic crisis, an official said yesterday.

S. Sianturi, the head of the city office of the Ministry of Manpower, said the figures covered 18,551 workers from 112 companies with the rest being contract workers.

"Every day, managers from at least three companies come to our office seeking information on how to dismiss or suspend their workers," he told reporters.

Sianturi said the affected employees had worked for companies in the agriculture, mining, electricity, trading, finance, transportation and communication, service and construction sectors.

He said the economic crisis was also dealing a heavy blow to the occupational training center run by the city administration because many companies had canceled their applications to have their employees trained.

"Because of the crisis some companies have stopped their offers to take on students from the training center.

"But despite the stoppages we will continue intensifying the training program.

"We are not depending on the companies' job offers. Hopefully, after finishing the courses the students will be able to start their own businesses," Sianturi added.

The free lessons given to the students on the 600-hour course cost Rp 1.5 million per person. (ind/edt)