Cheap, nutritious meals for laborers

TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang administration has set aside Rp 270 million ($27,000) to open cheap food stalls for the poor, especially factory workers, during the economic crisis.

The stalls, to be set up in several busy places in the industrial town, will sell meals consisting of rice, vegetables, two tempeh cakes and an egg for just Rp 500 (20 U.S. cent).

"For Rp 500, factory workers and bus drivers will get a nutritious meal," Tangerang mayor Djakaria Machmud said Thursday.

The mayoralty administration is planning to build five stalls in the town center, four in Batuceper and six in Jatiuwung, both of which are centers of manufacturing and industry.

According to Djakaria, the government will subsidize each meal by Rp 270, Antara reported.

The stalls are among the first initiatives taken after President Soeharto called on local governments to provide subsidized food stalls for the poor. (pan)