IMF: Indonesia's Job Creation law could impact environment

The omnibus Bill, passed into law on Oct 5, has sparked widespread public protests and labour strikes as it is considered to be undermining labour rights and weakening environmental protection. - Reuters

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concern over environmental protection -- or the lack thereof -- in the Job Creation Law, calling on the government to ensure sustainable growth.

While the new omnibus law would ease restrictions that had been identified as obstacles to job-creating investment and higher productivity, which could boost growth and reduce poverty, one concern related to environmental standards, said IMF mission chief for Indonesia Thomas Helbling.