'More unskilled people leads to crime'
'More unskilled people leads to crime'
The city administration has frequently reminded Jakarta migrant
workers not to bring along their unemployed relatives and friends
with them when they return from their hometowns after the Idul
Fitri holiday. Governor Sutiyoso says there is no place for
unskilled migrants in the capital. The Jakarta Post asked some
residents their opinion on the issue.
Tia, 28, is an employee of a private bank in Jakarta. She
lives in a rented room in Kemang, South Jakarta:
I agree with Sutiyoso that Jakarta is already overrun with
migrants. People from other areas should not come to Jakarta.
However, I believe that Sutiyoso's policy alone will not work if
he doesn't get support from the administrations of other regions
where the migrants came from.
Other administration should also work hard to provide jobs
because people come to Jakarta because they think they can earn
money more easily here. So, the bottom line is unemployment.
Looking at it in this way, the central government should also
play a key role in balancing development and create jobs in other
regions, and stop concentrating only on Jakarta.
If they fail to do this, I believe the influx of people to
Jakarta will continue.
Fuji, 38, is an owner of a trading company in Central Jakarta.
He lives with his wife and children in Pondok Pinang, South
Jakarta:
As a basic commodity trader, I would prefer Jakarta to have
more residents because more people means more buyers. Everybody,
rich and poor alike, needs food and clothes, you know. They are
also a source of cheap labor. So, I still question the benefit of
Sutiyoso's instruction to prohibit newcomers from entering
Jakarta.
However, I realize that more unskilled people results in
unemployment or at least underemployment. This, in turn, will
lead to more crime as people will try to get money in any way
they can in order to eat.
If the ban can make Jakarta safer and cleaner then I guess
it's worth giving up a little profit.
-- The Jakarta Post