TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Franky Sibarani said the labor intensive program launched by President Joko Widodo, on Monday, October 5, is expected to create 121,285 new jobs in 2015-2019.

Franky said in the launc h of the program at the factory of PT Adis Dimension Footwear in Balaraja Barat, Tangerang, Banten said the program is to inform the public and investors that amid the phenomenon of severance of working relationship, there are still many labor intensive projects that could offer jobs.

"The message of the program is that investment in labor intensive projects continues that would need large number of workers," he said.

Franky said there are 16 labor intensive companies in cooperation with BKPM potentially could provide 100,000 jobs in the first phase.

The projects will have multiplier effect giving rise to new economic activities and encourage development of supporting industries such as catering business, laundry and transport, he said.

Deputy for Investment Control at BKPM Azhar Lubis said the program is designed to link job seekers and companies seeking to recruit workers.

"Many potential job seekers that have failed to meet with employers that need them," Azhar said, adding, therefore we plan to provide the link between them."

Industrial sources said in the January-August period in 2015, there are 26,510 workers lost their jobs as a result of the economic slow down.

The number is expected to grow as many companies did not bother to report their decision to lay off their workers.

"We will announce the name of the 16 companies and their locations and they are expected to be able to recruit the workrtd losing their jobs," Azhar said.

The construction projects of the 16 companies would be completed between early 2016 to end of 2019.

The 16 companies include 11 foreign investment companies of South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore and 15 domestic companies all total Rp18.9 trillion in investment.

Among the companies are PT Pou Yuen Indonesia, PT Chang Shin Reksa Jaya, PT Adis Dinamika Sentosa, PT Feng Tay Indonesia Enterprises, PT Parkland World Indonesia, PT Selalu Cinta Indonesia, PT Seng Dam Jaya Abadi, PT Sri Rejeki Isman, PT Jaya Perkasa Textile, PT Rayon Utama Makmur, PT Nesia Pan Pacific Clothing, PT Eco Smart Garment Indonesia, PT Delta Merlin Dunia Textile, PT Delta Merlin Sandang Textile, PT Apparel One Indonesia and PT Jaya Perkasa Textile serta PT Kaldu Sari Nabati Indonesia.

ANTARA