Pedicab drivers say job offers not for them
Pedicab drivers say job offers not for them
JAKARTA (JP): Pedicab drivers banned from operating in the
capital rejected on Friday the city administration's offer to
take up new jobs, arguing they lacked the skills to do anything
else.
About 60 people representing 1,000 pedicab drivers said the
new occupations would require skills and it was not assured they
would earn enough to meet their daily needs.
The city administration banned pedicabs, known locally as
becak, from operating here on the grounds that the occupation was
inhumane and degrading to human dignity. The ban took effect in
1988.
When the economic crisis hit the country in 1997, Governor
Sutiyoso surprised many by announcing that pedicabs could operate
again in certain areas to allow many poor and unskilled people to
earn money to support their families.
He later revoked the decision because it contravened
Regulation no. 11/88, which banned the operation of pedicabs in
Jakarta, but not before there was a flood of drivers and their
vehicles into the city.
During Friday's meeting between the driver representatives,
the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) and the Central Jakarta
mayoralty, most of the men said they earned a sufficient amount
from operating pedicabs.
"We turned down the offer for other jobs because, despite our
humble appearance and few skills, we can still support our
families," one of the drivers said.
The Central Jakarta mayoralty said it earmarked 24
occupations, including as cleaners and security personnel, for
pedicab drivers and other unskilled jobless people
provided that they first underwent training. The mayoralty has
promised to cover the training costs.
The mayoralty also planned to set up more than 300 kiosks for
former pedicab drivers who have taken up new jobs.
The range of occupations offered by the mayoralty could employ
as many as 2,000 people.
"Providing them with alternative jobs is our main endeavor,"
mayoralty secretary Rustam Effendi Sidabutar said at the meeting.
(06)