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Village projects aim for 14m jobs
The government will launch massive village infrastructure projects so they could create 14 million jobs.
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President Joko Widodo and Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki visit Karian Dam in Lebak Regency, Banten, on Wednesday (Oct. 4, 2017). (Courtesy of/Presidential palace/ Agus Suparto)
T
he government will launch massive village infrastructure projects worth up to RP 60 trillion in 2018 that will be so labor intensive they could create as many as 14 million jobs.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo announced Monday the plan to employ casual laborers, paid daily or weekly, In projects that will be run at village levels.
He told news editors at the Merdeka Palace that the ministries of transportation, agriculture and public works, as well as ministry for disadvantaged regions will oversee these projects.
Each village must prepare a project that hire at least 200 workers and if all villages comply, they amount to 14 million employments, he said, citing irrigation or road repair or construction projects as examples.
The government has earmarked RP 60 trillion for village development programs in 2018, and these projects will use some of the money, the President said.
Besides channeling the fund to productive investment, the projects will also boost people's spending power, he added.
