Rp 10.3 trillion allocated for Jokowi's preemployment cards

MACROECONOMICS - JAKARTA. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani says the government has allocated Rp 10.3 trillion (US$737.51 million) for preemployment cards as part of a program designed to aid job seekers in accessing skills training. 

The cards were among three types President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promised to issue upon his reelection. The two others are the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) for university education and affordable staple food cards for low-income households. 

Sri Mulyani said on Monday that as many as 1 million preemployment cards would be issued, while another million cards would be issued specifically for digital training.

The minister said the allocation of the cards and other promises made by Jokowi would be included in the draft 2020 state budget, which would be delivered by Jokowi to the House of Representatives during the annual financial note address on Aug. 16.

Speaking in a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Jokowi said the government would prioritize its spending next year to improve human capital resources, highlighting the importance of government spending on education, health care and skills training.

“The draft of the 2020 state budget will be prioritized for human capital resources, such as education, health care and skills training,” said Jokowi.

The government has also allocated Rp 12.4 trillion for KIP and Rp 25.7 trillion for the affordable staple foods card.