SUMENEP, East Java (Jakarta Post): The government has spent a total of Rp 51 trillion (US$5.5 billion) to finance the National Movement for Unemployment Reduction (GNPP) to generate almost 1.5 million job opportunities this year.
Manpower Minister Erman Suparno said the money was disbursed to 318 regencies and municipalities in all 33 provinces, with four main programs on small-scale businesses, resettlement, employment and training and apprenticeships.
"Recipients form small groups to run small businesses, each with three to 10 workers, or open their own businesses in new resettlement areas. Another group of recipients joined the training and apprenticeship programs at state training centers and major companies before they were employed," he told a ceremony to conclude the 2007 GNPP here Saturday.
Despite the 1.5 million new job opportunities, he said, the unemployment rate remained high, reaching 10.5 million early this year, while the number of poor families has reached almost 40 million.
"This data is not from the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry but is based on the latest survey conducted by the Central Statistics Agency," he added.-- JP
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.