Fired workers' families feel the bite of crisis

JAKARTA (JP): As the economic abyss is only worsening, life is increasingly difficult for many people, especially those who have lost their jobs.

As there has been no sign of when the crisis will end, bankrupt and financially troubled employers are firing more employees, adding to the long list of jobless people.

Some people who have become jobless and their dependents share their experiences with The Jakarta Post.

Agus Haryadi, 38, a state-owned bank employee: Since my brother lost his job in a private bank two months ago, I have to spend more money on my family's expenses. Besides, I have to finance my youngest sister's education after my father retired a few years ago.

Usually, my brother and I share the burden. But now I have to shoulder it all, even though my salary is not that much. I have worked in the bank for about two years, since I graduated from university. Good positions don't come with just two years of work experience.

I know it's a crisis but I had never thought that my brother would lose his job. He had a good position and earned a much bigger salary than I do.

Now my brother's daily routine revolves around checking every vacancy ad in the newspapers and writing application letters. Luckily, he still has enough savings for his own expenses. But if he's not working soon, he will become my dependent, too.

For the moment, I think I am able to cope with it. But if prices keep going up, it'll be difficult. My mother has already complained about high food prices. It means that she will need more money from me.

It hurts to realize that the Idul Fitri festivity is around the corner. It means new clothes and lots of food. If things don't get better soon, where will I get all the money?

Sarifah Sikun Hasanah, 48, a housewife living in Mampang, South Jakarta: My husband, who had worked for 20 years in an advertising agency, was fired in June. Since then life has been difficult for us, especially because prices have skyrocketed every day.

Now, I sell jamu (traditional herbal medicines) to my neighbors to support my family. Each package of jamu costs Rp 2500 and I get some profit.

My husband has helped a rice distributor since his dismissal to support our family of five. Our daughter studies in a private university and two sons in private high schools.

I have to manage our daily expenses very carefully. No more unimportant expenses. The children's needs, especially food and education, are our top priority.

It's hard to earn money nowadays but we're trying to survive. I just hope the economic crisis will soon be over and the prices will become more affordable for most people.

Tantri, a private university student: Since my sister was fired from an airline company in February, it's been very hard for me to go on with my study at a private university. She's the one that covers all my expenses. Our parents are already old, I can't expect them to assist us.

At present, we depend on my sister's severance pay, which is not very much. But my sister does not want me to quit no matter what because if things go well, I will graduate sometime next year.

Now my sister is considering working at home, maybe she will sell her car to get money to start a business. But I think I can't solely rely on my sister and I'm thinking of earning money, maybe my friends and I will open a food stall just like the artists do.

Karyati, 38, a housewife living in Bendungan Hilir in Central Jakarta: My husband lost his job as a foreman in a construction company in January because the company stopped its projects because of the crisis.

According to the company, my husband was suspended until the company can resume operations. For that reason, my husband was not given severance pay. But I think it's only an excuse.

My husband would not wait for nothing and now he has been employed in a cleaning service company, thanks to his brother's help. Still his income is not enough for all of us, so I try to help earn money by washing clothes for those living in boarding houses nearby. Sometimes, I also sell (traditional) snacks, which I consign in my neighbor's food stall.

Fortunately, our children are still small and do not need much besides food and clothes, but, if prices are getting higher and higher every day, it means that my husband and I have to work harder.

Herlina, 30, former contract officer at ABN Amro Bank: I was fired on Sept. 18 without a reason, the company only stated it could not extend my contract. Under my contract agreement, I still have to work for another five months. Another officer from the same department has also been fired.

I was terribly shocked, sad and did not know what to do when my manager handed the letter of dismissal to me. I never knew what my mistake was.

That's why I brought my case to the Legal Aid Institute because I want to defend my rights, the company has to pay me for the next five months instead of only giving me my September salary.

Lin Hernowo, 49, a housewife living in Bogor, West Java: As a mother, it was very sad to see my daughter lose her job in a law firm in February. She loved her job and she earned good money. She had supported our family since she started work a couple of years ago.

Thank God other members of the family have retained their employment. Otherwise, it would be difficult for us to survive in this crisis.

But, I worry most about my daughter's condition rather than her financial support of the family. During the first few months after losing her job, she was down and lost confidence.

Fortunately, all members of the family and relatives encouraged her to regain self-confidence. It's not her fault that she lost her job -- it's the monetary crisis.

Now she has managed to get back on her feet again. She has started to run a business with some of her friends by opening a street cafe in Depok close to a university complex.

Heriyanto, 22, a private university student living in Depok: Everything is difficult now for my family since my father lost his job as an account executive in an advertising company.

Now my entire family depends on my mother's income. She works as a teller in a private bank. But, even though my mother is still working, her salary is barely enough to support the entire family of four. My sister also studies at a private university.

The first thing my mother did when my father lost his job was cut our allowances. Now my allowance is only enough for transport. I can't hang around too much with my friends as I used to do. I even borrow books, or photocopy them, from my friends instead of buying new ones.

I feel sorry for my father, he looks unhappy and depressed. And it's strange to find him watching TV or reading newspapers at nine in the morning, the time when he is supposed to be in his office. I don't know what to say to him, I think it's better to leave him alone. (ste/01)