Beggars' earnings up during Ramadhan

SURABAYA: Beggars' earnings in Surabaya have increased by up to 100 percent during Ramadhan as compared to non-holiday times, Antara reported on Saturday.

Beggars operating in several main areas of Surabaya said that their incomes have increased from an average of Rp 25,000 per day to about Rp 50,000 per day during the fasting month, the agency said. The beggars said that people usually handed them Rp 100 to Rp 500. Some beggars have resorted to painting their bodies with red paint to suggest wounds, the agency said. (01)