The fate of our workers

The fate of our workers

As is well enough known the present monetary upheaval has had
wide implications. All kinds of projects have had to be
terminated, causing an increase in unemployment.

Unless something is done to alleviate this trend, its negative
impact will eventually affect the social, economic, political and
security situation in this country.

This is why the President, when receiving Minister of Manpower
Abdul Latief on Monday, asked him to take steps to surmount the
problems that are now being faced by many workers who have lost
their jobs.

According to the minister of manpower, the National
Development Planning Board has already prepared some labor-
intensive projects, including digging drainage and irrigation
ditches, repairing dikes, improving slums and preserving water.

Obviously the undertaking of such labor-intensive projects
does not entirely solve the complicated problem of unemployment.
Nevertheless, they do help our workers, particularly those in the
lowest income groups.

Of course our hope is that economic conditions in this county
will get back to normal before long, which would address the
intricate problem of unemployment in a much more comprehensive
way.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta