'Life in the city is a hard reality'<\/p>\n
Many seasonal vendors, who usually enjoy an increase in demand
\nduring the fasting month of Ramadhan, have complained that
\nbusiness is abnormally sluggish. Compared to last year's fasting
\nmonth, they said that only a few buyers had showed up to shop.
\nThe Jakarta Post talked to some of the vendors about the downturn
\nin holiday business.<\/p>\n
Saukari, 41, is a sidewalk vendor selling Muslim clothing at
\nTanah Abang market in Central Jakarta. He lives in Tanah Abang
\nwith his three children and wife:<\/p>\n
I wonder why life is getting harder, particularly in running a
\nbusiness like this. I admit that being a seasonal vendor is not
\neasy now.<\/p>\n
During the fasting month, most vendors believe that people can
\nusually turn a high profit. But recent days have shown that
\nbusiness is far different from what they think.<\/p>\n
Last year, turnover reached about Rp 400,000 or more a day.
\nBut now I have to accept my fate. I find it hard to even make Rp
\n50,000 a day. I have no idea why business is so slow.<\/p>\n
I used to sell fruit, but I went bankrupt. I quit and started
\nselling Muslim attire. Despite the slowdown in business I will
\ncontinue to sell clothing.<\/p>\n
Mariam, 62, has been a seasonal vendor selling dates and
\nsparklers for years on Jl. Palmerah in West Jakarta. She has
\nseven children and resides in Sudimara, Tangerang with her
\nhusband:<\/p>\n
Fasting month does not mean that it will be a prosperous time
\nfor me anymore. In previous years at this time, I could earn a
\nlot of money.<\/p>\n
I used to buy seven sacks of dates and numerous boxes of
\nfirecrackers and fireworks. I could make Rp 125,000 a day in
\nprofit at the time.<\/p>\n
But it's been totally different than in previous years. I find
\nit's hard just to earn Rp 40,000 a day from selling dates.<\/p>\n
Worse, I cannot sell firecrackers anymore as they are banned,
\ndespite the fact that they are usually high in demand. The police
\narrested me several years ago because I was selling them.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the Bali bombing last month has affected business in
\ngeneral. I don't know for sure.<\/p>\n
I am lucky that I have my regular business still, as I sell
\nbird and poultry feed. At least I can depend on my regular
\ncustomers and I can earn a living from that line of business.<\/p>\n
Mahfudin, 38, is a seasonal vendor selling dates at Tanah
\nAbang market. The native Jakartan lives in Tanah Abang with his
\nparents:<\/p>\n
Business has been so sluggish particularly during the fasting
\nmonth. By the second day of Ramadhan, I earned Rp 400,000 a day.<\/p>\n
But to my surprise business has been slowing down as turnover
\nhas dropped by less than 50 percent compared to the first few
\ndays. I am lucky if I can make Rp 100,000 a day.<\/p>\n
Running a business like this is getting harder now. I was
\nbetter off last year. I think it is because more vendors are
\nselling the same things this time around and catering to the
\ngrowing demand for goods during the fasting month and Idul Fitri
\nso it makes for stiffer competition among vendors.<\/p>\n
On normal days, I sell soft drinks. It's a lot better than
\nselling dates. Especially on hot days I can earn Rp 100,000 a
\nday.<\/p>\n
I plan to sell dates for two or three more months until Idul
\nAdha in February next year. I don't care about the possible drop
\nin income like the one I'm going through now.<\/p>\n
I just believe in God and hopefully He will help me bring in
\nmore money as long as I try my best.<\/p>\n
Nanto, 21, has been a sidewalk vendor for years selling
\ntraditional caps in Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta. He comes
\nfrom Cirebon, West Java:<\/p>\n
I agree that business during the holy month has been slowing
\ndown.<\/p>\n
I have to wait all day for people to come along and buy these
\ncaps. I sometimes only make Rp 15,000 in profit.<\/p>\n
To end the day with Rp 50,000 is not easy. Business is not as
\ngood as it was last year when I could make up to Rp 300,000 a
\nday.<\/p>\n
Life in the city has become a hard reality. I find it hard
\neven just to make enough to buy my meals. I also have to pay my
\nshare of the rent, which is Rp 20,000 a month. I live with 15
\nother vendors in a house so the rent does not really pose a
\nproblem for us.<\/p>\n
If conditions stay the same until the end of the fasting
\nmonth, I'm afraid I won't have enough money to go home for Idul
\nFitri celebrations.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/life-in-the-city-is-a-hard-reality-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }