Boss has sympathy for BKKBN worker

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The minister in charge of the family planning program was upset when an employee told her he had not received his salary since last year.

State Minister of the Empowerment of Women, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, also the head of the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN), was attending a discussion forum with field workers when she received the complaint, Antara reported Friday.

"Since I worked here on March 20 1999, I haven't got one cent," Amiruddin said. He said he had moved from Ambon because of the unrest there.

He also told Khofifah that he had trouble in doing his tasks because he had very little money.

"I have written to be transferred somewhere else, but I haven't got a response yet," Amiruddin said.

Khofifah who admitted feeling sorry for the man because of his thin figure, instructed the head of the Board's provincial office to immediately process the requested transfer.

She said she did not want Amiruddin and his family to be abandoned and keep him from doing a good job as a civil servant.

Antara reported around 650 civil servants who moved from Ambon to Southeast Sulawesi had not been paid. (08)