Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah distributed assistance under the Independent Workforce (TKM) Program to business actors and street vendors in Mojokerto district, East Java.

The assistance is part of the ministry’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and support the implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) for business actors.

“This program is being implemented by the Manpower Ministry to create jobs and business opportunities for people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Level 4 PPKM policy, which has caused the economy to weaken,” Minister Fauziyah noted in a written statement here on Friday.

The minister acknowledged that nominal assistance under the TKM program was not substantial. However, she expressed hope that the assistance would help micro and ultra-micro business actors to continue running their businesses amid the pandemic.

“This assistance is expected to ease their financial burden as well as become a business capital for micro business actors,” according to Fauziyah.

On the occasion, the minister handed over assistance under the TKM program to five business groups and street vendors in Mojokerto, including Tanjangrono Business Group, Kedungmaling Business Group, Karangmojo Business Group, PPKL Gajah Mada Indonesia Business Group, and PPKL Bangsal Traders Business Group.

“In total, assistance through this program will be offered to 100,000 micro and ultra-micro business actors,” she remarked.

The minister reminded independent workers to stringently adhere to health protocols, so that the number of COVID-19 cases can be brought under control.

“The implementation of strict health protocols is expected to reduce the number of cases in each region. For instance, in areas with high case numbers, so that the PPKM level 4 can be brought down to level 3, and finally, the number of cases in the region can be brought under control,” the minister stated.

Source: Antara News