Counting coins homeward: porters at Senen station hustle through Ramadan

Jakarta — The holy month of Ramadan in the year 1447 AH (2026) has reached its 26th day, and the call to return to one’s hometown has likely become a longing for many migrant workers, including those in the capital. Moreover, school holidays for children have arrived and await their turn for employees, including civil servants, state-owned enterprise workers, and private sector employees.

The same applies to Yatin, 63, and Irfan, 26, porters at Pasar Senen station in central Jakarta. These two men, who have become like father and son, are also preparing to return home and are thus still working diligently to earn rupiah to take back to their villages.

Both are migrant workers from Central Java. Yatin has been working in Jakarta since 1982, based at Pasar Senen station, having left Brebes. Irfan, from Kebumen, has been seeking his fortune in Jakarta for only the last year.

Both came to Jakarta invited by relatives. Whilst Yatin says he is satisfied with his work as a porter, Irfan has no clear idea of what he wants to do next year.

When asked about their daily income, both agree that it is “uncertain”. However, at minimum, their pockets are never empty in a single day. Additionally, for them, the work system is humane.

The total number of porters at Pasar Senen station is 190 people, including Yatin and Irfan. The porters work on two daily shifts: day and night. The morning shift works from 07.00 to 19.00 WIB.

Their task is essentially to carry baggage, such as bags, suitcases or other items, belonging to passengers into the train. In reality, they sometimes also serve as direction guides, ticket readers, departure time reminders, and conversation companions for passengers waiting to depart.