JAKARTA (23 June 2021) – Social Minister Tri Rismaharini does not deny that technological innovation brings a number of impacts. The use of technology has been proven to strengthen the scale of small and medium enterprises, thereby increasing the economic independence of the poor.

Risma stated that technological innovation has made it easier for humans to fulfill their daily needs. However, technological advances also bring challenges.

“Technology is a necessity in the digital era. For example, it can help business management to be more successful. Technology is good despite the concerns that it could reduce the number of workers,” said Risma, Jakarta (22/06).

Social Minister understands the negative impact of technological disruption. One of the consequences is the reduction of employees from 10 to 4 people because their duties have been replaced by technology. Risma is sure that this impact can be overcome as long as we are able to see various opportunities as well as challenges with the help of technology.

“The remaining 6 employees can be placed in other suitable positions to remain productive. Even though in the end they still use technology,” said the Social Minister.

In the digital era, nothing is spared from the use of technology. The efficient ones will survive to compete with other countries.

"The use of technology can improve people's welfare, but the most important thing is to find the right leverage," said the Social Minister.

As a proof that the use of technology can increase productivity, since 2010, Risma during her time when she was the Mayor of Surabaya, has created a project for Economic Heroes and young fighters from the poor.

"The two projects in Surabaya are proof that being productive using technology can actually improve welfare," said the Social Minister. Technological support for micro and small businesses in Surabaya, said the Social Minister, has made them able to survive during the pandemic.

Surabaya, with its 3 million population, is a potential market, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The people in Economic Heroes and young fighters show extraordinary resilience by being able to survive and increase their turnover by 200 percent. "Story of housewives, from projects of Economic Heroes and young fighters during the pandemic. Their products have actually increased by 200 percent. This is clear evidence," she said.

When using technology to market products, the thing to pay attention to is being smart and observant in seeing opportunities according to the situation.

Surabaya is not suitable for textile business, but there are still many things to do, such as dried leaf and water hyacinth products which are now penetrating the export market.

"God has given everything to all of us, we just need to make the best use of it," said the Social Minister.

First, they are taught how to use technology, how to market products, and manage finances. Many of them finally become successful.

"One of them used to have debt, Alhamdulillah, now she has 3 houses and a car. There is even a pecel vendor who owns luxury cars," she said.

There is also a success story of a farm engineer complaining that he was highly educated but unable to find job. Risma advised him to join the programmers.

"Last time I met him, he was wearing a cowboy hat, becoming a businessman with a turnover of IDR 2 billion resulting from combining animal husbandry with technology," said the Social Minister.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs