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