Hundreds laid off in Maluku

Hundreds laid off in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: Hundreds of workers have been laid off by
construction companies due to the soaring price of building
materials, an executive said Saturday.

Soebeno, secretary of the Provincial Indonesian Builder's
Association (Gapensi) said that the sharp fall in the rupiah
against the US dollar had caused building materials to increase
in price by between 300 percent and 400 percent.

"We are reluctant to lay off the workers since it adds to
unemployment," Soebeno said.

Most of the employees laid off were temporary workers.
Construction companies commonly employ between 20 and 45 people
on a permanent basis, but recruit large numbers of staff on a
casual basis.

Soebeno said his association had complained to the Ministry of
Public Works about the situation and hoped that the ministry
would revise funding for their projects.

"It's impossible if we are forced to continue our projects
under the old figures. The projects would not be completed on
time," he was quoted by Antara as saying. (jun)