TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The pre-employment card program communications director Panji Winanteya Ruky said that entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs are allowed to register and earn benefits from the program. However, he reminded the public that not all fund assistance could be used for business capital.

The aid worth Rp1,000,000, Panji added, must be spent for training and not as capital to run a business. Yet, an incentive of Rp600,000 that is given every month for four months after the training completes could be used as venture capital.

“Let me clarify this, [participants] are allowed to freely use the Rp600,000 incentive given for four months. I think it can be used for venture capital, it is their choice,” said Panji in an online discussion on Monday, April 13.

The Manpower Ministry’s Director-General of Development, Training, and Productivity Bambang Satrio Lelono elaborated that entrepreneurs or prospective entrepreneurs affected by the coronavirus pandemic could register to join the program.

“They can take courses based on their business plans, such as culinary business or barbering,” Bambang said, adding that after the courses, the incentives could be used for their own interest, including venture capital.

Earlier announced, the government was set to provide social assistance to each participant of the pre-employment card program worth Rp3.55 million in an effort to curb the pandemic impact. The online registration period has been officially opened on Saturday, April 11, 2020, at www.prakerja.go.id.

CAESAR AKBAR