Banda Aceh – At least 75 percent of former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels are out of work after returning to their hometowns, the World Bank says.

"The lack of job opportunities for former GAM members makes them dependent on their families and community, a situation that might trigger illegal acts," the head of the World Bank's conflict team, Patrick Barron, said in Banda Aceh.

"That's why the government should immediately distribute reintegration funds for people but the most important thing is to provide job opportunities for former GAM members."

Many of the former rebels require skills training in order to enter or reenter the workforce. "I depend on my wife who sells cakes," said former rebel Teungku Safiie.

At least 3,000 former GAM rebels and more than 1,000 former GAM prisoners are entitled to reintegration payments. The government has established a reintegration fund worth Rp 600 billion in 2006 and Rp 700 billion in 2007 for former rebels and conflict victims in the province.

GAM had been battling for Aceh's independence for three decades when it signed a peace deal with the government in Helsinki, Finland, in August last year.