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)