Fuel prices cause massive layoffs in Indonesia

Over 70,000 workers have been laid off in Indonesia since the government hiked fuel prices on Oct. 1, local media reported on Tuesday.

"I expect the number to reach 100,000 by the end of this year," Chairman of the Textile Association Benny Sutrisno was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying. "In total, some 500,000 will have to be laid off because fuel comprises 30 percent of production cost, not to mention other cost," he added. The chairman said that some 300,00 workers were from medium and large-size industries, while the remaining 200,000 workers were from small-size industries.

Rising energy costs driving lifestyle changes

peakoil.com -> msnbc.msn.com :

Across the country, the rising cost of fuel is changing the way we live, work and run our businesses. There's a run on wood stoves in several metropolitan areas. In Denver, more businesses are letting employees work from home. Cities across the country report increases in mass transit ridership. In New Jersey, there's a move to let businesses with auto fleets hedge their gasoline purchases. In Milwaukee, business owners say their top concern is no longer the rising cost of healthcare; it's the soaring price of fuel.

With shortages and price spikes expected for natural gas and heating oil, wood furnace manufacturers and dealers are having trouble keeping up with new demand. The Business Times reports sales of wood-burning stoves in its area have reached levels not seen since the 1970s energy crisis. And manufacturers are also having a hard time keeping up with production of wood pellets - made from sawdust - to burn in those stoves.

(2005-10-26 11:12:31 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

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