Freeport cuts aid for BLK

Freeport cuts aid for BLK

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: PT Freeport Indonesia, a Jayapura-based gold and copper mining company, recently stopped financing a local vocational training center, known as BLK.

In a ceremony marking the closing of the fifth training session Tuesday, an official of the company said it has decided to end its annual aid of Rp 500 million (US$ 224,000) for the BLK Jayapura. It has supported the program for five years.

Instead, it will support the establishment of another vocational training center in Timika, Fakfak regency, the official was quoted by Antara as saying.

Irian Jaya Vice Governor Basyir Bachtiar immediately called on local businesses to step in and assist the training center, so it can continue operating.

Basyir also called on the mining company not to completely stop its support of the BLK Jayapura as it is currently the only training center in the province catering to the needs of prospective workers. (imn)