4,000 workers in Kemang face dismissal
4,000 workers in Kemang face dismissal
JAKARTA (JP): The closure of 122 businesses -- including
cafes, restaurants and furniture shops -- in Kemang, South
Jakarta, is expected to affect about 4,000 workers, a city
councilor said yesterday.
The workers face dismissal if the municipality goes ahead with
its plan to restore the area to a residential site, Fatommy
Asaari, head of the Golkar faction, said.
The 122 businesses are among the 180 ventures which violate
land use regulations.
He said the workers' status was unclear because they were
still registered as employees but did not have jobs.
The owners of the businesses are apparently hopeful that the
municipality will change its plan.
Fatommy urged the municipality to find alternative jobs for
the employees if it planned to crack down on deviations to land
use permits in Kemang.
City administration data shows that 90 percent of Kemang
properties are used for commercial purposes, far in excess of the
15 percent permitted by city regulations.
"So far the municipality's decision is based on a technical
point of view, mainly how to restore Kemang to its original
purpose as a residential site.
"But the city forgets about the social and economic
consequence that may arise, such as the future of the 4,000
workers who earn a living there."
The Jakarta administration announced last month that it would
proceed with a plan to close down 180 businesses in Kemang for
failing to comply with building permits and land use regulations.
Only 41 commercial businesses in Kemang, which hold commercial
site permits, would be allowed to continue operating.
"The city should not just close down the businesses in Kemang,
without paying any attention to what is happening to the
employees," he reiterated. "After all, it is actually the city's
fault as it was not consistent in apply the land use regulations
in the area."
Fatommy said the city has a responsibility to help relocate
the workers.
The municipality has been criticized for its lack of
forethought, considering the ever-changing nature of Jakarta,
especially its dealings with several land use alteration matters,
such as those in Kemang.
"The municipality must be realistic in finding a solution for
Kemang. The existence of cafes and restaurants there, for
instance, reflect the demand of an urban society."
Fatommy said the only "fair" solution was to relocate the
commercial sites to one part of Kemang.
"For instance, build a special area for furniture businesses,
cafes or restaurants. Right now all of the businesses are mixed
together, causing chaos."
Kemang residents have special characteristics and needs, so
the relocation site should not be too far away.
"Many of the residents are retirees who eventually opened
businesses to earn money. They will lose their business, go
bankrupt and be forced to sell their place to someone else.
"And someone who buys the place may try and do the same thing
by turning it into a commercial site. It's a vicious circle."
Lukman Mokoginta from the Indonesian Democratic Party faction
also expressed his support for creating a business district in
Kemang.
"The municipality must come up with an idea for how to
relocate the businesses. Don't let them die. Commercial sites
such as cafes and restaurants are needed by the people.
"Moreover, that kind of business will help the city get
revenue, mainly from tax collection."
The controversy over Kemang was sparked when the former
governor, Surjadi Soedirdja, issued an instruction dated March 18
to crack down on Kemang businesses that violated the building
permits.
Kemang businesspeople have reacted angrily to the city's
decision to close them down, saying that it is unfair and should
be reconsidered.
They claim to be "victims" of the municipality's previous
decision to allow Kemang to "develop" into a commercial zone.
(edt)