Ramadhan closures create anxiety among workers<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang<\/p>\n
In response to pressure from local ulemas and other public
\nfigures, the Tangerang regency and mayoralty decided last week to
\nrequire all entertainment spots to close from seven days before
\nthe fasting month of Ramadhan to seven days after.<\/p>\n
Tangerang tourism office chief Iryani said that to enforce the
\nban, tourism and public order officers would monitor nightspots
\nnightly.<\/p>\n
The decision to close the entertainment spots was made in
\nobservance of the fasting month.<\/p>\n
The policy is certain to put a strain on those who work in the
\nentertainment sector, but they said they had no choice but accept
\nthe decision.<\/p>\n
There are more than 200 entertainment spots in Tangerang
\nregency and another 150 others in the mayoralty.<\/p>\n
Some of the nightspots said they would pay their employees as
\nusual despite the closure, although they will still lose the tips
\nthey normally receive. While other spots will not provide any
\ncompensation for employees during the closure.<\/p>\n
\"As a Muslim, I agree with the ban, but as a worker I disagree
\nwith it because I won't be able to earn extra money. And at the
\nsame time my family's expenses will increase during the fasting
\nmonth and the Idul Fitri celebration,\" Setiasih, 36, a
\nreceptionist at Taman Wisata Permata Buana karaoke lounge on Jl.
\nRaya Cinangka, Ciputat, told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.<\/p>\n
She said that despite the closure she and other employees,
\ncomprising two cashiers, eight karaoke operators, eight waiters,
\nfive bartenders, four cooks and another receptionist, would still
\nreceive their regular monthly salaries.<\/p>\n
The mother of two, who works daily from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., said
\nshe would look at the positive side of the ban, which is that she
\nwill be better able to perform her fast. She hopes this will make
\nup for the average Rp 50,000 she receives daily in tips from
\nguests.<\/p>\n
\"But its a pity for the other 15 workers who accompany guests
\nto sing in private rooms. They really rely on tips from the
\nguests. They have no other regular income,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Ali Sadikin, 23, an employee at the Jali-Jali discotheque on
\nJl. Raya Ciputat-Parung, said the club would have shut down
\nduring the fasting month even if there had not been a ban from
\nthe administration.<\/p>\n
\"My boss made a deal with the local community to close down
\nthis place during the fasting month and on Islamic holidays,\" he
\nsaid, adding that he and the 11 other employees would still be
\npaid their salaries despite the closure.<\/p>\n
Sadikin, who usually guards visitors' vehicles, said during
\nthe fasting month he would sell iced coconut milk near the disco,
\nas he did last year.<\/p>\n
Despite his industriousness, he said he would lose an average
\nof Rp 40,000 a day in tips from guests.<\/p>\n
Dewi, 41, who runs a massage parlor on Jl. Raya Bojong Sari in
\nCiputat, expressed concern that if she closed her business her
\nsix masseurs would have difficulty supporting their families
\nduring the fasting month.<\/p>\n
\"I think the price of nearly all basic goods goes up during
\nthe fasting month. Most of my workers are widows who have two or
\nthree children. They also have to pay house rent. I feel sorry
\nfor them,\" she told the Post.<\/p>\n
She said the employees at her massage parlor, which opened in
\nJuly, did not receive regular monthly salaries, but depended
\nentirely on tips from their clients.<\/p>\n
One of the masseurs, Ayu Widiastuti, 38, said she did not know
\nhow she would support her family during the temporary closure.<\/p>\n
Ika, 20, and Yoli, 20, who work at OR Billiard on Jl.
\nCiputat Raya, Ciputat, said they would return to their homes in
\nParung and work as store attendants, even though they would make
\nless money.<\/p>\n
\"We are not paid regular salaries. We receive 10 percent of
\nthe total coins that we sell to customers each month,\" Ika said,
\nadding that one coin cost Rp 1,000 and the total number of coins
\nsold monthly ranged between 1,000 and 1,500.<\/p>",
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