'It's better to work hard than farm the land'

Every worker here knows how hard it is to make a life in the city. Yet, many say that they will not quit their jobs because they don't have any other option. The Jakarta Post talked to several people who were about to leave the city to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns.

Riyadi, 25, a laborer who works for a furniture factory in Kapuk, North Jakarta. He has been living in the city for more than a year. He was heading to Palembang, South Sumatra to see his parents:

I am going home to be with my family. I don't want to pretend I am a successful person in Jakarta. I am taking some money home but soon I will run out.

I don't want to recommend that anyone comes back with me to Jakarta. Working here is hard and I cannot guarantee that they would soon get a job. I just don't want them to experience the hardship of looking for a job like my own experience last year.

I want to go back to work here after the holiday. I don't have much choice. That's why I have to keep my job despite the fact that I get less than the regional minimum wage standard. My factory pays me Rp 16,700 a day.

Luckily my friends sometimes offer extra jobs. They stole electronic components from the factory where they work then I helped them sell the items lower than the market prices. Frankly, it helps me survive.

I want to go back to Jakarta, after all. I think it's better rather than staying in my hometown and being a farmer. I don't think I could do that job well. Besides, I feel happier here as I have many friends with whom I can share my hard life.

Gatot, 22, a company worker in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, for two years. He was leaving for Tawangmangu, Central Java where his family lives:

I feel happy to go home to see my family. I think the celebration is a big occasion where I can get together with all my family and relatives and friends.

I don't mind if my fellow villagers consider me a successful migrant. This is the typical villagers' point of view of their neighbors who return home after years of working in such a big city.

They don't know that working in the city is hard. Even my salary is far lower than the regional minimum wage standard. I only get more or less Rp 400,000 per month. I wonder why we only deserve that much.

Anyway, I don't have any plan to quit my job here as looking for a better job is difficult. So I have to keep my job and try my best so as not to lose it. I must manage my income properly to get by.

Roni, 27, a construction worker for more than 10 years. He resides in Ciledug, Tangerang, with his friends while his wife and son live in their hometown in Pemalang, Central Java:

Living in the city is very tough but I have to enjoy it.

I work seven days a week and my weekly income is almost Rp 300,000 because my boss pays me Rp 40,000 per day.

Perhaps in my hometown I could bargain to have that much, but the jobs are rare. Besides, I enjoy being here as there are many entertaining places to go.

Sometimes, I feel proud when I go home as everyone in my neighborhood will respect me as the 'lucky' person with a lot of money. But I cannot deny the fact that I'm just a construction worker who has to bear the daily heat and hard work.

I'm happy to go home because I bring a lot of money for my family and some new clothes for them.

--Leo Wahyudi S