Proposal lauded to send ex-becak drivers abroad

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso welcomed on Tuesday a proposal, the first of its kind, to send some 300 former becak (pedicab) drivers, to work at plantations and furniture manufacturers in neighboring Malaysia.

"The most important thing is that the former becak drivers receive comprehensive information about the types of jobs and their salaries," Sutiyoso said as quoted by city administration spokesman Muhayat.

"They must also be accompanied by an advocacy team to ensure their basic legal rights while working abroad," he said.

The governor's approval was voiced in a meeting at City Hall with executives of PT Glorious Victory, a labor agency which proposes the export of the former pedicab drivers.

"We will send them to work at oil palm plantations and furniture manufacturers," said the company's director, Deddy Rosjidin.

"Each man will receive 400 Malaysian ringgits (US$117) per month, plus insurance coverage.

They will also receive additional income for working overtime," he added.

The idea of giving the former pedicab drivers the opportunity to work in different fields was not the first proposal submitted to the city administration. Yet, Tuesday's offer was the first of its kind to send them abroad.

Several labor agencies earlier proposed that they be trained to start their new lives by working as ice cream and soft drink sellers, parking attendants, security officers and technicians.

Muhayat said the city administration would provide its vocational training facility (BLK) in Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, to be used as a training center.

"We'll provide the required training subjects, including the facilities, for the workers before they are sent to Malaysia. The company, in turn, should provide Rp 2 million per person for the former drivers' expenses during the one-month training period," he said.

"The city administration and the company will not charge the workers a single cent during the training period.

"But the company may cut their monthly salaries to compensate for spending during the training period. However, the scheme's officials must be informed and it must be completely explained to the workers," he added. (nvn)