Pedicab drivers demand new jobs

JAKARTA (JP): Drivers of becak (pedicabs) in Central Jakarta questioned officials on Friday about alternative jobs which the city administration promised would improve their welfare.

About 50 of 100 drivers who attended the meeting said they were left with no choice but to continue to work on the streets to support their families until they got the new jobs.

Masud M. Sidiq, who represented some 40 drivers from Paseban subdistrict, said they had quit work as pedicab drivers but were waiting for the promise of new jobs to be realized.

"The area is practically pedicab free because the drivers have high hopes about their future jobs," he said, noting that city officials should be consistent in implementing their plan to help alleviate the drivers' burden.

Another driver, Usman, said he decided to open a food stall with the Rp 250,000 he received from the city administration in exchange for his pedicab.

But he said the amount was not enough.

"With the money, I could only buy two frying pans, while I need more to run the food stall."

City Secretary Rustam Effendy urged the drivers to apply for new jobs through subdistrict offices and to state the amount of loans they needed to start small businesses.

Rustam said funds for the drivers would be allocated from the social safety net program. He declined to mention the amount of money provided, saying only that each loan would range from Rp 100,000 to Rp 500,000, depending on the kind of business proposed.

Head of the Central Jakarta manpower office H. Napitupulu said implementation of the program would focus on selling soft drinks produced by PT Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia, PT Sinar Sosro, PT Indo Meiji Ice Cream and PT Aqua.

"The four companies will provide some 40 pedicab drivers with carts for their operations which will start on March 17." He added that operation areas would be assigned according to the drivers' place of residence to avoid competition. (06)