Jakarta, April 13 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs is targeting 18 million social assistance beneficiaries to be empowered through the Red and White Village Cooperatives.

"All social assistance beneficiaries are encouraged to become Red and White Village Cooperatives' members as part of efforts to empower them and increase economic independence," Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said following a meeting with the Minister of Cooperatives in Jakarta on Monday.

He explained that based on the meeting's outcome, working-age beneficiaries would be prepared for employment within the cooperatives, taking on roles such as drivers or managers.

Meanwhile, those who are less productive or elderly will be optimized as cooperative...