Cirebon workers feel pain of fuel price hike

CIREBON, West Java: More than 1,000 people have been laid off in Cirebon since the Oct. 1 fuel price increases, as local companies struggle to maintain production amid higher prices.

The majority of the dismissed workers came from the regency's rattan industry, said Adjat Sudradjat, the head of state insurance company PT Jamsostek's Cirebon operations.

Since Nov. 1, three rattan companies have reported to the insurance company that they have gone bankrupt.

The businesses were unable to bear rising production costs after the fuel price increases, said Adjat. -- JP