Private sector to be involved in providing housing for workers

"The government remains committed to ensuring that people with low income have better access to housing, and will cooperate with the private sector to make it happen," Manpower Minister M Hanif Dhakiri said.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Manpower Minister M Hanif Dhakiri said the government will involve the private sector in its efforts to provide houses to workers to improve their welfare.

"The government remains committed to ensuring that people with low income have better access to housing, and will cooperate with the private sector to make it happen," Hanif stated here on Thursday.

As part of such cooperation, an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding/MoU) was signed for Cooperation Development Program Residential For Workers by PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero) Tbk, PT Bank BTN (Persero) Tbk, Social Security Administrative Body for Manpower (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan), and the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI), in Jakarta on Thursday.

The MoU will cover government programs to develop housing for workers in the low income bracket (MBR) in industrial areas throughout Indonesia.

Among the signatories were President Director of PT Pembangunan Perumahan, Tumiyana, President Director of BTN, Maryono, President Director of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Agus Susanto, and KSPSI President, Andi Gani Nena Wea.

Hanif added that in order to make more houses available for the workers, public expenditure needs to target groups of workers/laborers in need.

"Reducing the cost to be incurred by workers around the industrial area is expected to lessen the burden of spending on housing. Also, it will cut down on the money spent on transporting workers," said Hanif.

The minister said the government appreciated those stakeholders which have made a joint commitment to help fulfill the housing needs of workers.

"We expect that the signing of such a pact to facilitate the provision of housing for these workers can set a good example which other companies in various regions in Indonesia can also emulate," hoped Hanif.

In addition to the MoU on Residential Development Cooperation Program For Employees, joint commitments were also inked to better implement the Management System Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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