Will absorb 23,000 workers, the progress of the construction of the Galang Batang SEZ reaches 80%

ILLUSTRATION. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto

Reporter: Lidya Yuniartha | Editor: Anna Suci Perwitasari

KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. The Galang Batang Special Economic Zone (KEK) in Bintan, Riau Islands, is targeted to absorb 23,000 workers. Until now, the workforce absorption in the development stage is 3,500 people.

“With a workforce absorbed at the initial level of 3,500, it is expected to continue to increase and give rise multiplier effect others, “said Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto in a written statement, Saturday (26/9) evening.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Galang Batang SEZ has now reached 80% and is targeted to be operational starting in 2021. Currently, in the Galang Batang SEZ, a 1 million ton / year aluminum smelter is also being built. Airlangga also said that there would be a textile industry development in this area. Later, this industry will absorb labor from the wives or families of PT BAI workers / laborers.

“This is a unique approach that is not used in many factories,” said Airlangga.

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Meanwhile, the Director General for Binapenta and PKK of the Ministry of Manpower, Suhartono, said that to meet the target of 23,000 workers, the Ministry of Manpower will cooperate with various parties to prepare competent human resources.

“We will cooperate with the region so that the preparation of the workforce is faster. And we will also ask for assistance from outside the region to be able to send workers to this area,” said Suhartono.

He also explained that currently there are 90 Indonesian workers who are attending training in China to acquire technology and skills transfer.

“They will later be the technology replacement of the Foreign Workers who are here,” he added.