Cirebon flag sellers upbeat as Independence Day nears
Cirebon flag sellers upbeat as Independence Day nears
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon
Most Indonesians celebrate Independence Day, which falls on Aug.
17, by raising the red and white national flag, giving the day
extra importance for the flag sellers who count on the yearly
celebrations to make extra money.
In Cirebon alone, at least 30 flag sellers can be found on the
sidewalks or in empty spaces along the streets, making do with
the trees for shelter against the sun. They attach strings to the
trees and neatly arrange their flags for potential buyers. Some
of the sellers will make up to Rp 7.5 million (US$800) in the 15
days leading up to Independence Day, a significant amount of
money for most Indonesians.
Besides the considerable profit, selling flags can also create
jobs. Sellers usually employ workers to assist them with the
business, paying them up to Rp 300,000 for a two-week stint.
According to a flag seller from Cicapar village in Garut
regency, Rudi Hermanto, 36, he usually sells flags for the two
weeks prior to Aug. 17. He has been selling flags in Cirebon for
the past three years, and before that he used to sell flags from
city to city.
"I used to sell flags in different cities, from Jakarta to
Semarang. But for the past three years, I've been selling flags
in Cirebon. Sales are good and stable," said Rudi.
Rudi usually starts selling flags two weeks ahead of the
independence celebrations, with the last five days before Aug. 17
being the busiest.
Rudi employs several workers to assist him. He has opened five
kiosks, two on Jl. Cipto Mangunkusumo, two on Jl. Kesambi and one
on Jl. Siliwangi. Each of the kiosks is attended by one worker
whom he pays Rp 300,000 for two weeks.
"I recruited five workers. I also provide them with sales
bonuses in addition to the Rp 300,000. They can get Rp 1,000 to
Rp 2,000 for each flag sold," said Rudi.
Rudi supplies each of the kiosks with 1,000 flags during the
two weeks of sales.
He makes the flags himself long before the celebrations,
spending Rp 3 million to Rp 4 million for working capital.
"I save up the working capital by taking any job I am offered
when I am not selling flags, from working on farms, selling
vegetables to working construction," said Rudi.
He sells each flag for between Rp 8,000 and Rp 10,000. But
when business is really bustling, he can sell a flag for Rp
12,500.
"I make a profit of between Rp 5,000 to Rp 8,000 from each
flag sold because it only costs Rp 3,000 to Rp 4,000 to make each
flag. I usually produce standard-size flags measuring 90
centimeters by 60 centimeters, because they are the most in
demand," said Rudi.
Besides flags, Rudi also sells bamboo poles to put up the
flags. Every pole measures four meters long and has been painted
red and white. He buys them straight from a bamboo farmer in
Sumber district, Cirebon.
He buys each pole for between Rp 2,500 to Rp 3,000 and sells
them for Rp 4,500 to Rp 5,500 each. He stocks 500 bamboo poles
for the two weeks he is in business.
Rudi said he could sell at least 80 flags and 30 poles per
day. "And all the flags and bamboo poles that I bring are usually
sold out a day before the Aug. 17 celebrations," he said.
Rudi said he makes a nice profit even after deducting his
working capital and transportation and meal allowances for his
workers.
"I can save up for my child's education," said Rudi, whose
wife and three-year-old daughter live in Garut.
For Rudi, the Independence Day celebrations are not merely a
time to remember the struggle for freedom from colonial rule, but
also an opportunity to make a living.
"What is wrong with working while remembering Independence
Day?" he asked.