Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs will implement a labor-intensive program which is expected to give jobs to 4,673 workers.

In 2021, there will be eight labor-intensive program worth 405.61 billion rupiahs (some 29.06 million U.S. dollars), Minister of Maritime and Fishery Affairs Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in a written statement on Monday (Feb. 15).

The labor-intensive program in 2021 includes the developments of aquaculture irrigation/ponds and fish farming in rice fields, provision of marine aquaculture equipment, as well as the constructions of shrimp pond and millennial shrimp pond clusters.

In addition, rehabilitation of mangrove areas, development of people’s salt businesses/salt land irrigation, as well as construction of salt trading facilities and infrastructures are also included in the 2021 program.

The ministry estimates that 4,673 people will be engaged in the eight activities, with each worker earning around 100,000 to 120,000 rupiahs (about 7.17-8.60 U.S. dollars) per day.

Minister Trenggono said that the government would strive to make the number of workers participate in the program more than expected, by prioritizing human labor rather than using equipment or machines.

He also confirmed that the raw materials, such as mangrove seeds, needed in the labor intensive programs would be purchased from people.

The implementation of labor-intensive programs in the maritime and fisheries sector will be carried out immediately, so that they can be completed ahead of Eid Al Fitr, which this year falls around mid-May.

Last year's labor-intensive coral reef restoration program absorbed more than 10,000 workers.

The area restored exceeded the target from 50 hectares to 74.3 hectares, or equivalent to about 95,768 structures.

Reporting by Indonesia Window