Blind masseurs see injustice

Blind masseurs see injustice

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Leaders of the local chapter of Pertuni, an association for the blind, want to open their own traditional massage parlors but say they do not have the necessary money.

Chairman Rusman Effendi told Antara that its 654 members, whose main skill is giving massages, still have to "stroll around" to find clients. "We have been wanting our own parlors for so long," he said Saturday. "We can't have them because we don't have the money".

The Lampung government provides the association with a monthly donation of Rp 30,000 (US$13.00), a fifth of the sum needed to conduct its normal activities, Rusman said.

"It's really regrettable that more 'modern' parlors, which can be misused (for prostitution) are being opened, rather than legitimate massage parlors," he said. (swe)