Ramadhan closures create anxiety among workers

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

In response to pressure from local ulemas and other public figures, the Tangerang regency and mayoralty decided last week to require all entertainment spots to close from seven days before the fasting month of Ramadhan to seven days after.

Tangerang tourism office chief Iryani said that to enforce the ban, tourism and public order officers would monitor nightspots nightly.

The decision to close the entertainment spots was made in observance of the fasting month.

The policy is certain to put a strain on those who work in the entertainment sector, but they said they had no choice but accept the decision.

There are more than 200 entertainment spots in Tangerang regency and another 150 others in the mayoralty.

Some of the nightspots said they would pay their employees as usual despite the closure, although they will still lose the tips they normally receive. While other spots will not provide any compensation for employees during the closure.

"As a Muslim, I agree with the ban, but as a worker I disagree with it because I won't be able to earn extra money. And at the same time my family's expenses will increase during the fasting month and the Idul Fitri celebration," Setiasih, 36, a receptionist at Taman Wisata Permata Buana karaoke lounge on Jl. Raya Cinangka, Ciputat, told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.

She said that despite the closure she and other employees, comprising two cashiers, eight karaoke operators, eight waiters, five bartenders, four cooks and another receptionist, would still receive their regular monthly salaries.

The mother of two, who works daily from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., said she would look at the positive side of the ban, which is that she will be better able to perform her fast. She hopes this will make up for the average Rp 50,000 she receives daily in tips from guests.

"But its a pity for the other 15 workers who accompany guests to sing in private rooms. They really rely on tips from the guests. They have no other regular income," she said.

Ali Sadikin, 23, an employee at the Jali-Jali discotheque on Jl. Raya Ciputat-Parung, said the club would have shut down during the fasting month even if there had not been a ban from the administration.

"My boss made a deal with the local community to close down this place during the fasting month and on Islamic holidays," he said, adding that he and the 11 other employees would still be paid their salaries despite the closure.

Sadikin, who usually guards visitors' vehicles, said during the fasting month he would sell iced coconut milk near the disco, as he did last year.

Despite his industriousness, he said he would lose an average of Rp 40,000 a day in tips from guests.

Dewi, 41, who runs a massage parlor on Jl. Raya Bojong Sari in Ciputat, expressed concern that if she closed her business her six masseurs would have difficulty supporting their families during the fasting month.

"I think the price of nearly all basic goods goes up during the fasting month. Most of my workers are widows who have two or three children. They also have to pay house rent. I feel sorry for them," she told the Post.

She said the employees at her massage parlor, which opened in July, did not receive regular monthly salaries, but depended entirely on tips from their clients.

One of the masseurs, Ayu Widiastuti, 38, said she did not know how she would support her family during the temporary closure.

Ika, 20, and Yoli, 20, who work at OR Billiard on Jl. Ciputat Raya, Ciputat, said they would return to their homes in Parung and work as store attendants, even though they would make less money.

"We are not paid regular salaries. We receive 10 percent of the total coins that we sell to customers each month," Ika said, adding that one coin cost Rp 1,000 and the total number of coins sold monthly ranged between 1,000 and 1,500.