Riau wants to help returning workers

Riau wants to help returning workers

PEKANBARU, Riau: Authorities here have expressed their
readiness to assist Indonesian workers following their
repatriation by the Malaysian government.

Bachrum Effendi of the local manpower office said yesterday
that considering the proximity of Riau to Malaysia, it was
logical to make the province the transit point for returning
Indonesian workers.

Malaysian Deputy Home Affairs Minister Moh. Tajol Rosli
Ghazali said his government planned to repatriate foreign workers
in order to provide more jobs to local workers.

The decision is part of the government's efforts to ensure
that there are job opportunities for locals in Malaysia amid the
economic crisis.

Effendi also said Riau authorities had prepared for the big
number of workers who will pass through there for Idul Fitri.

"We expect about 5,000 workers will pass through Dumai for
Idul Fitri," he said. (mds)