Jakarta – The Indonesian Kalimantan Rattan Association (ARKI) says thousands of farmers in Central Kalimantan have now become jobless thanks to the recent rattan export ban.

"There are some who are still working, particularly in the Barito River area, but the production is limited," association chief Herman Yulius said on Tuesday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

He explained that rattan farmers that used to work along the Katingan and Mentaya Rivers in Central Kalimantan had been complaining since the export ban was issued in January.

He said that the regional administration should be held responsible for the loss of livelihoods as they had not helped the farmers look for alternative jobs, despite promising that they would be given jobs in the rattan processing industry.

"They have been selling empty promises, while we are here waiting for the realization (of the promises)," he said. (awd)