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

'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