Morgue workers condemn fare hike

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