Morgue workers condemn fare hike
Many people on low incomes are complaining that life is getting harder and harder, especially after the fuel price hike that has triggered price increases on many essential goods, quite apart from public transportation fares. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue workers shared their view with The Jakarta Post about the fares increases.
Mardiyono, 47, is chief of the morgue. Born in Kaliurang, Yogyakarta, he now resides in Cakung, East Jakarta, with his wife and two children. He moved to the capital 27 years ago when he got his first job at the hospital.
Talking about the increase in transportation fares, which was sparked by the fuel price hike, always makes me sad. I personally regret the government's decision but what can I do? I just hope the students will stage rallies protesting the policy.
A low-ranking civil servant like myself suffers the impact of the hike most of all. We civil servants don't receive any transportation allowance from the office but only a monthly incentive payment of Rp 48,500.
I have to spend about Rp 5,000 (54 US cents) every day on public transportation alone. My children also need Rp 5,000 each per day for their transportation fares, not to mention meals.
Imagine how hard it is for a civil servant like me to survive.
I wonder how the country can be well run if the government fails to improve the welfare of its people.
Suwardi was born 55 years ago at Banjar, West Java. The junior high school graduate moved to Jakarta in 1959 and was an ambulance driver for 17 years at the hospital. Now he is employed at the hospital's morgue.
When I used to take the bus to work, I had to spend at least Rp 13,000 a day as I live in Cikampek (about 60 kilometers away from the city). It's a large amount of money! Now, I prefer to take a commuter train as I can save nearly Rp 10,000, which means a lot to me.
On my salary, which is less than Rp 900,000, my life will be more difficult if the administration really increases the fares. Life is getting harder every day and I have no idea how to cope in the near future.
I'm just very lucky that four of my five children can help me financially.
I wish the powerful people in the government or administration would focus their attention more on the welfare of their citizens.
Sofyan, 30, makes a living by bathing corpses at the morgue. Born in Cirebon, West Java, he moved to Jakarta in 1990.
The fuel price hike, of course, will affect me because I will spend more on public transportation fares.
I live at Ciracas, East Jakarta, and pay about Rp 4,000 to get to work every day.
I don't agree with the government's decision, but who am I to protest against it?
My monthly income is insufficient as I am only a senior high school graduate. I must also bear the brunt of the price hike due to its impact on daily necessities, especially for my daughter's milk and nutritious food.
I don't how I'll cope with this situation. -- JP