Domestics a necessity for many Jakartans

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.