Ramadhan closures create anxiety among workers

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.