Jakarta. Gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil pledged on Sunday to offer financial assistance to workers who lose their jobs, should he win the upcoming election in November.

During a gubernatorial debate held at the Jakarta International Expo, Ridwan introduced his proposed program, the “Social Empowerment Fund”, aimed specifically at providing financial support to Gen Z workers who find themselves unemployed.

“The financial assistance will cover a three-month period, giving them time to seek new employment,” Ridwan said during the debate with fellow candidates Pramono Anung and Dharma Pongrekun.

He added that the exact amount of assistance would be determined based on the provincial budget but stressed the importance of government support for young job seekers. “The government must step in to help our younger Gen Z brothers and sisters when they lose their jobs,” he said.

Ridwan, the former governor of West Java, also promised to offer free co-working spaces for young workers, along with free coffee to lighten their financial burden.

“Gen Z is known for its love of coffee, which can become a costly habit. So, we will provide free coffee too,” Ridwan said.

However, Pramono Anung criticized Ridwan’s approach, accusing him of trying to win votes with "free coffee." He argued that what young people truly need are skills and education to secure better employment opportunities.

“I believe Gen Z doesn’t need free coffee; they need the skills and education to get proper jobs,” Pramono responded.