81,456 workers lose jobs

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)