Jokowi Brings Good News: Freeport Smelter In Gresik Will Absorb 40 Thousand Workers

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi said that the construction of a purification and processing plant (smelter) for PT Freeport Indonesia's mine in Gresik, East Java would absorb tens of thousands of workers. In fact, at the construction stage alone, it will absorb at least 40 thousand workers.

Furthermore, Jokowi said the number of open jobs in East Java will be even greater if the smelter construction has been completed and is ready to operate.

"The Minister said earlier, during the construction period alone there will be 40,000 workers who can work. This means that there will be a lot of job opportunities in Gresik Regency and East Java province, not later when it is operational", he said during the groundbreaking of the smelter in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Gresik, Gresik Regency, East Java, Tuesday, October 12.

According to Jokowi, the creation of job opportunities from industrial activities is one of the important goals to meet the needs of the community. The impact of opening employment opportunities can also provide direct benefits for the surrounding community, namely an increase in income.

"Then create more jobs, this is an important goal for the people", he explained.

Jokowi said that downstream is something that must be done. Because downstream will increase state revenue. Therefore, President Jokowi encourages every industry engaged in mining and mineral and coal to carry out downstream.

Furthermore, Jokowi said that the downstream process will also encourage domestic industries to be more independent and develop because they are not dependent on mining processing activities in other countries.

"By building a smelter in the country, this will strengthen the downstream industry. I will order any private or state-owned companies that are related to the Minerals and Coal mine to enter into the downstream. Again, so that our commodities have a higher value, don't send them raw", he said.