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)