817 foreigners may lose jobs

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: At least 817 foreigners working in the province may have to be laid off following moves by companies across the country to streamline their organizations.

"Due to the ongoing economic crisis, some companies in East Kalimantan might reduce the number of their foreign workers," Soewardi, the head of the provincial manpower office, was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.

Soewardi said that in view of the crisis, companies in the province should refrain from hiring foreigners because they are paid in U.S. dollars.

Governor H.M. Ardans recently called on companies to retrench foreign workers, especially those positions which can actually be occupied by locals.

Companies in the oil, gas, timber and coal sectors in East Kalimantan usually hire foreign workers. (swe)