Domestics a necessity for many Jakartans
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
To some, the thought of everyday life without the assistance of domestic helpers is unbearable.
The fact that human labor is inexpensive, and, at times, taken for granted, means that the services of domestic helpers are accessible to most households in the city. It also enables the latter to live increasingly self-indulgent lifestyles.
As Idul Fitri approaches, the time when maids usually take a few weeks off to celebrate the religious holiday with their families in the villages, housewives begin to panic about how they will cope with having to deal with the laundry and dirty dishes.
For those who are obliged to entertain Lebaran guests at home, it can become even more horrifying.
"I tried to persuade my maids by offering a bonus to the one who was willing to stay on at Lebaran. But they all insisted on going home," Minarti Saragih said in dismay. Her husband's colleagues and her children's friends usually pay her a visit on Lebaran, apart from her own relatives.
"All those dirty dishes and the housework ... I can just picture it all right now," she moaned, while adding that she had applied to take two weeks off from her office job in order to deal with her domestic situation.
Another housewife, Lydia Maria Sari, who resides in Bintaro, South Jakarta, said that during this time each year she became distressed, as her maid and baby-sitter would start asking for permission to return to their hometowns.
But this year, she was able to get help from the agency that had supplied her regular maid.
The agency, acutely aware of the business opportunity, started a Lebaran maid-hiring scheme, under which temporary maids would receive a daily wage.
"I find this very helpful. It will be difficult for me to handle everything on my own as I also have a small child," she told The Jakarta Post, adding that she was not too concerned about the trustworthiness of the temporary help as the agency provided a guarantee.
"Just to be safe, whenever I plan to go out I will take her with me," she said.
At the Dwi Asih maid agency in Jl. Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, Iis, the agency's manager, said that many people had been calling to book domestic help since the beginning of Ramadhan.
She is positive that her agency will place about 70 people this year, an increase from the 60 it assigned when it started the program last year.
"We will remain open for the whole holiday season in anticipation of the demand," Iis said. So far, Dwi Asih has 10 confirmed requests, for maids to commence work on Dec. 5.
At the Kasih Ibu agency, one maid who is on standby for Lebaran, Ida, said that she chose to work during the holiday mainly for financial reasons.
"I can make one month's wages for working about two weeks during Lebaran," Ida said.
Her agency charges Rp 25,000 to Rp 30,000 per day, in addition to the administration fee of Rp 250,000, to clients who wish to use its services. Usually, the recruitment fee is Rp 200,000.