Bangkalan aims for 80 per cent local labour absorption through industrialisation
Bangkalan — The Regent of Bangkalan, Lukman Hakim, has set a target that at least 80 per cent of the total labour requirements for the integrated industrial zone in Bangkalan Regency, East Java, should be sourced from local residents, thereby providing job opportunities and reducing unemployment in the region.
“The Bangkalan Regency Government aims for the industrial zone to eventually absorb approximately 70 to 80 per cent of the local workforce, ensuring that investment not only boosts economic activity but also provides employment opportunities for the local youth,” he stated during a speech at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between PT Wiraraja Madura and two international investors in Bangkalan, East Java, on Thursday.
The signing of the memorandum regarding the development of the industrial zone in Bangkalan was conducted by the owner of Wiraraja Company and Chairman of the Indonesian Industrial Estate Association (HKI), Ahmad Ma’ruf Maulana, alongside the Vice President of Odasco LLC and the Chairman of Suzhou Artisan Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.
This cooperation is part of a strategic step in the development of the integrated industrial zone in Bangkalan.
“The Bangkalan Regency Government hopes that the synergy with PT Wiraraja Madura can open large-scale investment opportunities that impact the economy of Bangkalan and Madura as a whole,” said Regent Lukman Hakim.
The head of the Bangkalan Regency Government further assessed that the influx of investment is vital for efforts to improve the regional economy. According to him, investment is not only related to economic circulation but also serves as an instrument to create jobs and improve community welfare.
“These investment opportunities are crucial and can provide a chance for Madura, specifically Bangkalan, to level up. This is a strategic key to resolving various regional issues, such as economic strengthening, reducing unemployment rates, and increasing public prosperity,” said Lukman.
He added that the Bangkalan Regency Government will take a supporting role by ensuring the regional investment climate remains conducive. Several supporting instruments are being prepared, ranging from Regional Regulations (Perda) on Industry to various technical and administrative regulations required to support the development of the industrial zone.
However, the Regency Government emphasised that incoming investments must provide tangible benefits to the people of Bangkalan. One of the primary commitments being encouraged is the large-scale absorption of local labour.
With the arrival of international investors and the planned development of the integrated industrial zone, the Bangkalan Regency Government hopes that Bangkalan can become one of the new economic growth centres in Madura, while simultaneously increasing regional competitiveness at both the regional and national levels.
To ensure human resource readiness, the Bangkalan Regency Government will also establish strategic partnerships with Trunojoyo Madura University (UTM) to prepare and train the local workforce so that they possess qualifications that meet industrial needs.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Wiraraja and Chairman of HKI, Ahmad Ma’ruf Maulana, expressed his appreciation in his speech for the communicative and responsive leadership of the Regent of Bangkalan. He revealed that this investment plan was finally realised after a long process and various dynamics spanning the terms of the previous four regents.
“The main driver for this investment is the sincere intention to transform Madura’s economic structure and lift Bangkala out of poverty through industrialisation,” said Ahmad Ma’ruf.
During the event, Ahmad Ma’ruf highlighted several key points regarding the operations and development of the Wiraraja Industrial Zone in Bangkalan, including the commitment to absorb up to 80 per cent of the local workforce, as requested by the Bangkalan Regency Government.
“As a form of technical preparation, 10 local workers will be sent to Batam next month to undergo specialised training, followed by approximately 50 people during the November–December period before they are deployed back in Bangkalan,” he said.