"If we look at the infrastructure development programs in Aceh, Rp1.5 trillion to Rp2 trillion are allocated per year. And currently, Aceh is undergoing a shortage of around 3,000 construction workers. "
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - Minister of Public Works and People's Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono showed his ability to play drum instruments with local artists after opening the Construction Workers Certification Test Facilitation at the Banda Aceh Convention Hall Building on Monday.

Wearing a white shirt covered by a security vest or light green safety as well as a black hat bearing the ministry's logo, Basuki Hadimuljono looked shrewd in hitting drums with local Acehnese artists while entertaining the participants of the test.

Many participants went onstage and talked with the minister. The Construction Workforce Certification Test Facility was participated in by 1,000 people, and attended by acting Governor of Aceh Nova Iriansyah and Mayor of Banda Aceh Aminullah Usman.

In his remarks, Hadimuljono stated that the Aceh Government allocated a budget of up to Rp2 trillion for developing infrastructures per year in the province, which currently runs a shortage of three thousand construction workers.

"If we look at the infrastructure development programs in Aceh, Rp1.5 trillion to Rp2 trillion are allocated per year. And currently, Aceh is undergoing a shortage of around 3,000 construction workers, " he said.

He said, if the budget allocation in Aceh reaches an average of Rp2 trillion per year, the number of workers needed by the construction sector is estimated to reach 23,000, and 20,000 of them have been certified.

The Indonesian government under the leadership of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla has shifted its program to human resource development.

"Nationally, out of 8.3 million construction workers, only 616 thousand have already been certified, and the government is obliged to certify every construction service provider, " he said.

The holders of construction certificates have formal legal strength and find it easier to get works. In addition, the Central Government and the Regional Government have also required each construction service provider to have competency certification for their benefits.

Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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