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Govt to disburse money to laid-off workers, families to curb economic impacts of COVID-19
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo works from home on March 16. (Setpres/Muchlis)
T
o protect the economy from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has decided to speed up the disbursement of training funds for workers through the preemployment card program, as well as increase the allowance provided to low-income families.
Originally slated for April, the preemployment card program's launch has been brought forward to this Friday.
“Several sectors have started layoffs. [The program will] support laid-off workers as well as day laborers and micro-businesses that have seen a decline in sales. We hope that those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak can learn a new skill or improve their skills," President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said in a virtual press briefing on Tuesday.
Program participants will receive Rp 1 million per month (US$ 61) for three to four months.
The government has allocated Rp 10 trillion for the program, which is expected to provide training to about 2 million people.
Earlier, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said online training would be available nationwide while offline training sessions would be available in Riau, Bali, North Sulawesi and Surabaya in East Java during the program’s first phase of implementation.
The President has also announced an increase in the amount of aid given to families enrolled in the Family Hope Program (PKH) for the next six months.
“The allowance has been increased from Rp 150,000 to Rp 200,000 for each family. The allocation fund is Rp 4.5 trillion,” said Jokowi, adding that the program could cater to around 20 million low-income families. (aly)
