Newspaper vendors feted

Newspaper vendors feted

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

For Agus, 27, being able to take a day off to spend time with
his eight-month old daughter, Syaula, even during an official
holiday such as Friday's, is a luxury.

"I work seven days a week, usually 12 hours a day," said Agus,
who earns Rp 1.2 million a month selling newspapers and magazines
at a stall in Cilincing, North Jakarta. "If not, I wouldn't be
able to afford Syaula's formula."

Agus, who worked for only half a day on Friday, was one of the
estimated 8,000 people, comprising mainly print media vendors and
carriers, who packed the Istora Arena in Senayan, Central
Jakarta, for Friday's "International Loper's Day" -- which
organizers say is the first of its kind, dedicated for print
media vendors the world over.

Loper is the Indonesian term for people who distribute print
media, such as newspapers and magazines, to readers' hands,
covering vendors who sell at traffic lights to carriers who
deliver door-to-door during the mornings.

Organizers called the event as a "love-fest" to honor and
appreciate the vendors, which account for around 50,000 people
working in the Greater Jakarta area.

"This day is dedicated to you, our beloved vendors," said
organizer Laris Naibaho, the organizer of the event. "We
appreciate what you do, not just today, but on every single day."

During the three-hour event, which was free of charge, the
vendors were showered with food, a hymn and a poem created in
their honor, musical performances, door prizes, with the grand
prize being a Haj pilgrimage for two, and even an allowance of Rp
20,000, just for being there.

"We are often marginalized, so an appreciation like this feels
marvelous," said Agus, who has been selling newspapers since he
was laid off from his job at a ceramics factory in 1998, because
of the economic crisis.

During the event, Naibaho, who also owns a large newspaper
agency in South Jakarta, declared the formation of a national
foundation for the vendors, aimed at improving their welfare.

"We will protect your rights and livelihoods," Laris told the
crowd, who gave him a thunderous applause.

About 7,000 of the crowd were vendors and their families and
the remaining 1,000 were representatives from newspaper
distribution agencies, publishers and the city administration.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who couldn't be present because he
was attending the Lake Toba Summit in North Sumatra, sent an
address that was read by the Mayor of Central Jakarta, Muhayat.

In the address, Sutiyoso acknowledged that the vendors were a
vital part of the city's economy, helping reduce unemployment and
having a pivotal role in the supply chain.

However, the governor gave a subtle warning, which was
implicitly understood by most of the vendors, saying "My beloved
vendors, don't forget to keep Jakarta beautiful and don't work in
dangerous spots."

Daryatin, who earns around Rp 30,000 daily selling newspapers
on the street, said that from Sutiyoso's words it was clear that
the city would continue to be vigilant trying to keep vendors off
the streets.

"The (police) come by at least twice a day. It makes my life
hard," said Daryatin, who had spent a week in jail for peddling
newspapers at traffic lights. "All I want to do is earn an honest
income." (002)