National

Minister of Manpower: Two Million Workers in 2006
Wednesday, 23 November, 2005 | 01:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris said that in the year 2006, the work force would reach between 1.8-2 million people. Most will be absorbed in infrastructure projects that will start early next year.

“This is not including the multiplier effect from infrastructure projects, that will create new work opportunities, so that the total work force will increase by 500,000, ” stated Fahmi in between the workshop “National Movement on Unemployment Handling” held on Tuesday (22/11).

Construction of bridge and road projects, Idris said, would lead to the opening of food and drink stalls nearby the projects allocated for the workers. The number of cement, sand and other production of materials will also increase along with the rise in demand.

According to Idris, other fields that will also absorb the work force in 2006 include a labor intensive program and plantation activities. He added that many investors were interested in labor-intensive projects next year. “As for plantation activities, 600,000 hectares within my department will be opened at the end of this year,” stated Idris. (Khairunnisa-Tempo News Room)