C. Kalimantan helps jobless

PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: The city administration has allocated Rp 100 million (US$12,500) to provide 400 unskilled workers with jobs until Jan. 28 in labor-intensive projects.

Mayor Nahson Taway told Antara Friday that workers would be given jobs for 15, six-hour days.

They will do jobs such as dredging city canals or cleaning markets for which they will be paid about Rp 6,000 per day.

"At least they can earn some money during the fasting month and... for Idul Fitri (end of Ramadhan holiday)," he said.

Head of the city's manpower office, Arman, said Central Kalimantan was the first province outside Java to initiate its own labor-intensive programs to cope with unemployment.

The central government earlier this month allocated more than Rp 33 billion to provide temporary jobs for the about 4 million people who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis. (aan)