'Life in the city is a hard reality'
Many seasonal vendors, who usually enjoy an increase in demand during the fasting month of Ramadhan, have complained that business is abnormally sluggish. Compared to last year's fasting month, they said that only a few buyers had showed up to shop. The Jakarta Post talked to some of the vendors about the downturn in holiday business.
Saukari, 41, is a sidewalk vendor selling Muslim clothing at Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta. He lives in Tanah Abang with his three children and wife:
I wonder why life is getting harder, particularly in running a business like this. I admit that being a seasonal vendor is not easy now.
During the fasting month, most vendors believe that people can usually turn a high profit. But recent days have shown that business is far different from what they think.
Last year, turnover reached about Rp 400,000 or more a day. But now I have to accept my fate. I find it hard to even make Rp 50,000 a day. I have no idea why business is so slow.
I used to sell fruit, but I went bankrupt. I quit and started selling Muslim attire. Despite the slowdown in business I will continue to sell clothing.
Mariam, 62, has been a seasonal vendor selling dates and sparklers for years on Jl. Palmerah in West Jakarta. She has seven children and resides in Sudimara, Tangerang with her husband:
Fasting month does not mean that it will be a prosperous time for me anymore. In previous years at this time, I could earn a lot of money.
I used to buy seven sacks of dates and numerous boxes of firecrackers and fireworks. I could make Rp 125,000 a day in profit at the time.
But it's been totally different than in previous years. I find it's hard just to earn Rp 40,000 a day from selling dates.
Worse, I cannot sell firecrackers anymore as they are banned, despite the fact that they are usually high in demand. The police arrested me several years ago because I was selling them.
Perhaps the Bali bombing last month has affected business in general. I don't know for sure.
I am lucky that I have my regular business still, as I sell bird and poultry feed. At least I can depend on my regular customers and I can earn a living from that line of business.
Mahfudin, 38, is a seasonal vendor selling dates at Tanah Abang market. The native Jakartan lives in Tanah Abang with his parents:
Business has been so sluggish particularly during the fasting month. By the second day of Ramadhan, I earned Rp 400,000 a day.
But to my surprise business has been slowing down as turnover has dropped by less than 50 percent compared to the first few days. I am lucky if I can make Rp 100,000 a day.
Running a business like this is getting harder now. I was better off last year. I think it is because more vendors are selling the same things this time around and catering to the growing demand for goods during the fasting month and Idul Fitri so it makes for stiffer competition among vendors.
On normal days, I sell soft drinks. It's a lot better than selling dates. Especially on hot days I can earn Rp 100,000 a day.
I plan to sell dates for two or three more months until Idul Adha in February next year. I don't care about the possible drop in income like the one I'm going through now.
I just believe in God and hopefully He will help me bring in more money as long as I try my best.
Nanto, 21, has been a sidewalk vendor for years selling traditional caps in Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta. He comes from Cirebon, West Java:
I agree that business during the holy month has been slowing down.
I have to wait all day for people to come along and buy these caps. I sometimes only make Rp 15,000 in profit.
To end the day with Rp 50,000 is not easy. Business is not as good as it was last year when I could make up to Rp 300,000 a day.
Life in the city has become a hard reality. I find it hard even just to make enough to buy my meals. I also have to pay my share of the rent, which is Rp 20,000 a month. I live with 15 other vendors in a house so the rent does not really pose a problem for us.
If conditions stay the same until the end of the fasting month, I'm afraid I won't have enough money to go home for Idul Fitri celebrations.
-- Leo Wahyudi S