Unemployment and poverty

Unemployment and poverty

State Minister for National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie revealed in a recent seminar figures for the labor force, job opportunities and unemployment.

According to Kwik, who is also chairman of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), the country's unemployment in 1996 hit a record 4.3 million. In 2002 -- five years after the economic crisis had hit the country in 1997 -- the figure reached 9.13 million, not including underemployment of 28.9 million.

Unemployment in 2003 is expected to reach 10.13, and 10.83 million in 2004, he said. With economic growth of 5.3 percent (open) unemployment is expected to reach 11.9 million in 2005.

Kwik said that by 2008 the situation will still not have improved.

The figures revealed by Kwik also showed that Indonesian labor was still dominated by elementary school graduates. Therefore, labor-intensive projects remain the answer to national employment, instead of high-tech jobs.

Annually, 1.1 million to 1.75 million job vacancies exist in the country; however, 2.1 million to 3.16 million people seek jobs every year. Where will those who fail to get a job go?

We all acknowledge that unemployment is a source of suffering and other social problems, including violence as well as drug abuse.

Whenever political competition, such as a general election, approaches, we are made aware of a commitment to a national platform and an agenda to deal with unemployment. Poverty eradication and creation of job opportunities are really a national priority, because only with seven-percent growth will unemployment be reduced.

-- Kompas, Jakarta