Labor-intensive projects, not cash

Labor-intensive projects, not cash

From Kompas

When the government raised fuel prices on Oct. 1, I was surprised by the big increase, although I could understand it.

In the next phase, when cash assistance was distributed to the poor, I could not understand, or did not see it from a political viewpoint. Handing out money is not educative and spoils the poor, making them take things for granted.

The cash for the poor should be provided through an institution with a high awareness of its moral obligation, such as a regional administration cooperating with a non-governmental organization.

This institution should undertake labor-intensive projects with workers recruited from among the poor, who will earn income from such projects. In this way, unemployment could be reduced. Let's hope the government will consider this idea to improve public welfare.

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