'I don't know why people protest the WTO'

The World Trade Organization (WTO) talks in Cancun, Mexico, collapsed on Sunday as rich and poor nations failed to reach any sort of consensus on trade issues. The failure of the talks will do little to close the gap that exists between the developed and developing worlds. The Jakarta Post spoke to several people about the issue.

Thomas Ipoeng, 35, works at the Supreme Audit Agency. He lives in Bogor, West Java, with his wife and son:

Frankly, I don't know why people are protesting the WTO meeting or why the WTO never sides with poor countries.

In previous years, the relatively low wages here was the key factor in giving Indonesia a competitive advantage in the global market.

But now with the reform era there are so many labor unions making demands, including better wages.

On the other hand, the government can't just force employers simply to meet these labor demands.

This has helped to weaken the economy. As a result, some investors have left and moved their businesses elsewhere.

One thing that is certain is that globalization has so far benefited rich countries, due partly to the regulations that only favor developed countries.

Thus, our products are becoming less and less competitive in the world market. We even have to buy imported fruit.

Mandau, 33, is a researcher at a company in Tanah Kusir, South Jakarta. He lives in Setiabudi, South Jakarta:

I don't follow the WTO carefully, to tell you the truth. But in general, I want to say that we have no power in the global market.

We have to acknowledge that we are just a poor country. So it's better just to follow the WTO's rules, even though they will not provide us with any advantages or bargaining power. But if we don't follow them, it would be even worse for our economy.

It's a matter of fact that we are not yet ready to meet the rules established by developed countries for the global market.

So, we aren't benefiting from being a WTO member because we are unready. The political turmoil and economic crisis, among other things, contributed to our being unprepared.

Kris, 33, is a computer technician who lives in Cibubur, East Jakarta, with his wife and two children:

I've heard the term (WTO) but I don't have a clear idea of what it means. But I know it has to do with economic matters, right?

I think if we talk about the economy, we also have to talk about politics. It's so complicated, especially in times of economic slumps.

We have to acknowledge that in many ways our country is far behind developed countries.

So how can we think about fair trade in the global market when there are many people here just trying to cope with the hardships of life.

It will take at least 100 years to catch up economically with the more advanced countries.

However, I'm not too pessimistic that one day we will catch up with advanced countries and be treated fairly in the global market.

But right now we are not ready to fight for recognition in this international organization.

Leo Wahyudi S