Sales assistants at fair motivated by high wages

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of beautiful young woman employed at the Jakarta Fair 1997 as sales promotion assistants were feeling happy when the one-month fair closed yesterday because they had just received their wages.

The girls, who were mostly university students and new graduates, were paid between Rp 30,000 (US$12.37) and Rp 100,000 a day each, depending on the company they worked for.

Keke Vanida, a student from the University of Indonesia's Chinese Literature School who worked at the Yamaha motorcycle stand, said she was paid Rp 70,000 for a six-hour working day.

Keke said she had worked 18 days during the fair and expected to earn about Rp 1.2 million in total.

Yuli, a graduate from Atmajaya University's Tourism School who worked for a water pump company, said she was paid Rp 30,000 for a six-hour working day.

She said she would receive Rp 900,000 for her 30 days work.

Most of the women said they would spend the money on clothes and cosmetics.

"The money? As usual on women's needs, such as clothes and also to have fun," said Teti, who also worked for the pump company. Teti is studying at Trisakti University's transportation management study program.

Keke and her friends said that they could work at the fair because they were on vacation.

"It's just a side job. I'm waiting for a permanent job in a tour company," Yuli said.

Yualita, another promotion assistant who graduated from Borobudur University's banking school, said she was in the process of applying for jobs at banks. "However (Working here) is better than just waiting at home," she said.

Good looks and a smart appearance were two of the requirements to be a sales promotion assistant.

Sometimes visitors attempted to tease the assistants. Others tried to hold their hands when they spread brochures out for the visitors.

"I just refused them politely," Yuli said.

She said that she and 20 others had to attend a three-day training course before being employed at the fair.

On the course they learned about the products being offered and how to handle "naughty" customers. (jun)