Morgue workers condemn fare hike<\/p>\n
Many people on low incomes are complaining that life is getting
\nharder and harder, especially after the fuel price hike that has
\ntriggered price increases on many essential goods, quite apart
\nfrom public transportation fares. Cipto Mangunkusumo General
\nHospital morgue workers shared their view with The Jakarta Post
\nabout the fares increases.<\/p>\n
Mardiyono, 47, is chief of the morgue. Born in Kaliurang,
\nYogyakarta, he now resides in Cakung, East Jakarta, with his wife
\nand two children. He moved to the capital 27 years ago when he
\ngot his first job at the hospital.<\/p>\n
Talking about the increase in transportation fares, which was
\nsparked by the fuel price hike, always makes me sad. I personally
\nregret the government's decision but what can I do? I just hope
\nthe students will stage rallies protesting the policy.<\/p>\n
A low-ranking civil servant like myself suffers the impact of
\nthe hike most of all. We civil servants don't receive any
\ntransportation allowance from the office but only a monthly
\nincentive payment of Rp 48,500.<\/p>\n
I have to spend about Rp 5,000 (54 US cents) every day on
\npublic transportation alone. My children also need Rp 5,000 each
\nper day for their transportation fares, not to mention meals.<\/p>\n
Imagine how hard it is for a civil servant like me to survive.<\/p>\n
I wonder how the country can be well run if the government
\nfails to improve the welfare of its people.<\/p>\n
Suwardi was born 55 years ago at Banjar, West Java. The junior
\nhigh school graduate moved to Jakarta in 1959 and was an
\nambulance driver for 17 years at the hospital. Now he is employed
\nat the hospital's morgue.<\/p>\n
When I used to take the bus to work, I had to spend at least
\nRp 13,000 a day as I live in Cikampek (about 60 kilometers away
\nfrom the city). It's a large amount of money! Now, I prefer to
\ntake a commuter train as I can save nearly Rp 10,000, which means
\na lot to me.<\/p>\n
On my salary, which is less than Rp 900,000, my life will be
\nmore difficult if the administration really increases the fares.
\nLife is getting harder every day and I have no idea how to cope
\nin the near future.<\/p>\n
I'm just very lucky that four of my five children can help me
\nfinancially.<\/p>\n
I wish the powerful people in the government or administration
\nwould focus their attention more on the welfare of their
\ncitizens.<\/p>\n
Sofyan, 30, makes a living by bathing corpses at the morgue.
\nBorn in Cirebon, West Java, he moved to Jakarta in 1990.<\/p>\n
The fuel price hike, of course, will affect me because I will
\nspend more on public transportation fares.<\/p>\n
I live at Ciracas, East Jakarta, and pay about Rp 4,000 to get
\nto work every day.<\/p>\n
I don't agree with the government's decision, but who am I to
\nprotest against it?<\/p>\n
My monthly income is insufficient as I am only a senior high
\nschool graduate. I must also bear the brunt of the price hike due
\nto its impact on daily necessities, especially for my daughter's
\nmilk and nutritious food.<\/p>\n
I don't how I'll cope with this situation. -- JP<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/morgue-workers-condemn-fare-hike-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }