Drivers protest added minivans, illegal levies

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of North Jakarta minivan drivers have protested to the National Commission on Human Rights against an increase of minivans in the area.

Four hundred drivers said Tuesday the increase was excessive and threatened their livelihood. They also reported daily levies of almost Rp 5,000.

Following a strike Monday, drivers met A.A. Baramuli, a member of the commission.

A statement signed by Jumarno, representing the drivers, said there have been 20 to 25 minivans operating from Tanjung Priok to Kota since February.

Jumarno said there were now 120 minivans plying the route passing Kampung Bandan and 100 minivans operating on the same route passing through Mangga Dua.

The drivers said there were still plans to add more minivans.

Route permits are issued by the City's Land Transport Agency, and are based on surveys prior to the issuance of permits.

"We have complained to the head of Tanjung Priok terminal about the excessive number of minivans operating on both routes," Jumarno said.

He said they had complained in vain to the head of the terminal and to the cooperative which owned the additional minivans, Komilet Jaya.

Drivers also said daily levies collected by cooperative officials reached Rp 4,700.

They said the cooperative claimed Rp 3,000 per day for drivers' benefits, Rp 200 to pay police officers at the terminal, Rp 500 to the Land Transportation Agency officers and Rp 1,000 to other police officers.

"We demand a stop to the addition of minivans and the collection of illegal levies," the statement said.

Baramuli said he would urge the North Jakarta Mayor and the chief of the North Jakarta police precinct to investigate the drivers' complaints.

"If the report was true, the commission would consider there was a violation of human rights on the freedom to earn a decent living," he said. (ste/05)