Project for skilled workers launched

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration launched on Monday a labor-intensive project worth more than Rp 60 billion (US$5.45 million) for skilled workers to help ease unemployment problems in the capital.

Djailani, deputy governor for welfare affairs, said after witnessing the launch that the project, run jointly with 114 non- governmental organizations, was designed to employ over 10,000 jobless people.

Djailani warmly hailed the project because he said it would help ease the rising unemployment caused by the numerous bankruptcies due to the current monetary crisis.

"This project is expected to help create young entrepreneurs," he said.

He said that unemployment in the capital had increased from 747,760 in June 1997 to 825,000 this month.

Sabar Sianturi, the chief of the Jakarta manpower ministry office, said at the ceremony that skilled workers trained in the eight-month project would be paid.

He said that the workers would be employed with a monthly wage of Rp 300,000 each.

"After the training course, the workers will be expected to run their own businesses," he said.

He said that the project gave priority to recruiting newly dismissed workers.

Business activities to be included in the projects include agribusiness, fisheries, food and leather, handicraft industries, retailing, restaurants, minidepartment stores, photo copy outlets, salons and photography studios.

The administration is currently carrying out a labor-intensive scheme worth Rp 17.4 billion to employ about 30,000 unskilled workers across the city. (rms)