The Mexican government has created 150,000 temporary jobs for the country's poor by implementing a rural roads program, President Felipe Calderon's press office said Friday in a statement.

The rural roads program, which is part of the country's efforts to fight poverty and inequality, was formally inaugurated by the president during a tour of the southeastern state of Campeche.

The federal government will offer 1.323 billion pesos (125.5 million U.S. dollars) to cover labor costs, the press office said.

President Calderon said that poverty could only be overcome by creating jobs and that the work in Campeche will be very much appreciated because roads are vital for small communities' development.

Source: Xinhua