Private sector and poverty

Private sector and poverty

President Soeharto proposed this week that employees of
private companies set aside part of their wages to help the poor.
This kind of contribution is not a new thing to civil servants.

Judging from the generally better wages received by employees
in the private sector, the proposal does not sound unrealistic.

If the proposal turns into reality, still it will be a
minuscule contribution to the poor now numbering 27 million
people. But, quantity is not the issue here. What counts is
solidarity to help the destitute.

Again, if the proposal is accepted by the private sector, the
first task to be set in motion is to look for a professional body
to manage the fund.

Experience shows that it is often difficult to control a fund
of this nature, for example, contributions for victims of natural
disasters or even the government-sponsored aid for poor villages.

If the management of the fund is professional, contributors to
the fund will be satisfied. For them, it is important that their
contributions will reach the right target.

-- Republika, Jakarta