The government has allocated IDR 5.3 trillion to implement the Cash-for-Work Program (Padat Karya Tunai), targeting 215,000 workers. The program will run from September to December 2025 and focuses on absorbing local labor through a daily wage system.
The Cash-for-Work Program (PKT) is a government initiative aimed at empowering rural communities—especially vulnerable and underprivileged groups—by involving them in productive activities based on local resources, enabling them to earn additional income.
According to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, the targeted workforce will be recruited directly by the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Transportation.
The key strategic objectives of the PKT program include:
- Reducing unemployment through temporary job opportunities
- Increasing household income, particularly among vulnerable groups
- Stimulating local economies through daily wage circulation
- Accelerating infrastructure development in villages and public facilities
- Serving as a social safety net during times of crisis or disaster
The types of work carried out under this program are simple and labor-intensive, designed to quickly absorb local workers without requiring special skills. Examples include repairing village roads, cleaning irrigation channels, building public facilities, rehabilitating uninhabitable homes, as well as greening and environmental maintenance activities.
