Tangerang ready for labor-intensive projects: Regent

TANGERANG (JP): In an attempt to curb unemployment and prevent social unrest, the Tangerang Regency Administration has provided Rp 1.3 billion (US$162,500) for its short-term labor-intensive projects, an official said yesterday.

Regent Saifullah AR said the projects would focus on blue- collar workers who have been dismissed due to the economic crisis.

"The projects will run for between 80 and 90 days with an estimated number of 6,000 workers per day," said Saifullah as quoted by the regency office spokesperson Erna Karlina.

The projects include the kampong refurbishment and the renovation of irrigation systems and markets in the area, he said.

"The workers will be paid Rp 7,500 each for a five-hour working day," Saifullah said. He did not say when the projects would start.

He said the labor-intensive projects are located in 30 villages of nine districts, home to a large number of casual workers.

The districts include Kresek, Kronjo, Mauk, Cikupa, Balaraja, Pasar Kemis, Teluknaga, Kosambi and Sepatan.

The country's recent economic woes have paralyzed the business operations of many industries in the regencies which have been forced to dismiss some of their workers. Several companies have even announced their bankruptcy.

Some of the dismissed workers have taken to the streets in protest, demanding a golden handshake, which could not be met by their companies due to the current situation.

According to the head of the local chapter of the Ministry of Manpower, Apon Suryana, at least six major industries producing various goods, from footwear to bicycles, have fired thousands of their workers.

PT Garuda Indawa, a shoe producer, has laid off 2,600 of its 7,000 workers as the company's orders dropped, Apon said.

An executive of the firm, Budi, said that each dismissed worker would receive a compensation package double their salary and a pair of Eagle shoes.

The second company, PT Primacom on Jl. Raya Legok, have also fired half of its 200 workers, said Apon.

PT Jawa Perdana, a major bicycle producer on Jl. Raya Serang, have dismissed one-third of its 150 workers, he said.

PT Puma Wood fired all its 250 employees.

PT Uni Prima Com in Parung Panjang has dismissed 40 of its 300 workers, while PT Alam Lestari Unggul on Jl. Raya Serang has asked 52 of its 500 employees to leave.

According to Apon, most of the dismissed workers are migrants from outside Tangerang.

Some of them have returned to their hometowns, while others are hanging around the regency waiting for opportunities, he said. (41/bsr)