Govt to create labor intensive job program

Govt to create labor intensive job program

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has ordered the provision of
labor intensive projects, especially in Jakarta and Surabaya, to
enable unskilled workers to earn an income in the lead up to
Christmas, New Year and the Islamic fasting month Ramadhan.

The President said blue-collar workers are suffering from the
severe economic turmoil as many projects, especially in the
construction sector, have had to be stopped due to the companies'
cash flow problems.

"We will develop labor-intensive projects such as the
construction of drainage ditches, renovation of dikes and water
canals, the rejuvenation of slum areas and the procurement of
clean water, especially in Jakarta and Surabaya," Minister of
Manpower Abdul Latief said after meeting with Soeharto at his
residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

Soeharto summoned yesterday Latief, Minister of Cooperatives
Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya, State Minister of Public Housing Akbar
Tandjung, State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono, and
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.

Latief met with reporters after his four colleagues held a
separate press conference earlier.

"The President indeed gives serious attention to ordinary
people, and he wants to make sure that they will not have
problems, especially in facing the Ramadhan fasting month and
Idul Fitri," said Latief.

The government will also provide similar projects in drought-
hit regencies. The final decision on these projects will be
announced tomorrow.

When asked about funding for the projects, Latief said: "Pak
Ginandjar (State Minister of National Development Planning) has
told me that he has prepared the funds. This is encouraging."

In a meeting with Ginandjar last week, Soeharto asked him to
prepare labor intensive projects in big cities and rural areas to
minimize the effects of the currency crisis which has caused
rising unemployment.

Vice President Try Sutrisno appealed again to the nation
yesterday to remain patient in facing the current economic crisis
and work hard to help the ailing economy recover.

Speaking to the organizing committee of Christmas celebrations
for civil servants and the Armed Forces (ABRI) at Merdeka Selatan
Palace, Try called on Christians to work harder in the Christmas
spirit.

"We must face the ongoing economic hardship with great
patience and a strong belief in God," committee chairman Lt. Gen.
Arie J. Kumaat quoted Try as saying.

President Soeharto, Try and several cabinet ministers are
expected to hold the celebrations on Dec. 27. State-owned TVRI
and other private TV stations are expected to broadcast the
ceremony live.

During the meeting with Try, Kumaat was accompanied by State
Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi, chairman of the
Indonesian Communion of Churches Sularso Sopater and executive
secretary of the Indonesian Bishops Conference M.J. Notoseputro.
(prb)