'Life in the city is a hard reality'
'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