Seasonal jobs? Why not

It has been four days since the fasting month of Ramadhan began last Wednesday and Muslims flocking to mosques in the evenings to say their tarawih prayers after breaking their fast has become a common sight.

However, for many people in this capital city this is also a time when they have reason to lament the rocketing prices of food staples and other commodities. Even so, for those who still have a regular source of income the situation is not as worrisome as for others. At least they can still afford to buy their daily needs. But for those who are temporarily forced to live on the charity of others because of the closure of their offices or work places, the month of Ramadhan presents a more gloomy story.

This goes especially for the group of people who work in night clubs, discotheques, bars, steambath parlors and other such places of entertainment which are subject to Gubernatorial Decree No. 108, issued in November last year. The governor has banned all night spots and amusement centers from operation during the Ramadhan month, except for those that are run or are operated by star-rated hotels.

It can of course be argued that the decree discriminates against certain occupations and favors others. It also elicits controversy as it targets only nightspots outside star-rated hotels. In addition it shows inconsistence on the part of the authorities. The decree bans establishments from operating only during Ramadhan, which means that the city authorities are closing their eyes to the operation of red light districts and to the sale of liquor before and after Ramadhan.

The target of the decree is also obscure. If the target is sex workers and the sale of alcoholic beverages, the ruling shows that the authorities are unaware that prostitution and the unlicensed sale of alcoholic beverage are illegal in this country. Why, then, don't they just implement and uphold the existing laws and regulations?

The question is how thousands of workers whose working places are closed during the Muslim holy month must make ends meet. Many of them must be Muslims, who -- like other Muslims -- also want to celebrate the coming Idul Fitri (post-Ramadhan) festivities.

The ranks of the workers who have lost their jobs during the fasting month ranges from office boys and security guards to managers. But criticizing the administration for being unfair and irrational will be obviously fruitless. So far, the officials and the governor himself have been immune to criticism. Protesting and taking to the streets is exhausting and would probably bring no result as the city authorities are turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to the people's outcry.

But lamenting their fate without doing something concrete is unwise and does not solve the problem. Those affected by the ban must be creative and start making money legally. There are always opportunities for those who are willing to find a job that is legal. During the fasting month people usually open stalls selling food and refreshments for those who want to break their fast. Why not try starting a similar business.

Selling seasonal greeting cards is another option open to those who have artistic talents and good drawing skills. They could try to make Idul Fitri cards and sell them. Of course, no one can guarantee that the businesses will run well. But at least doing something is better than remaining idle and complaining. In fact, many seasonal opportunities exist for people who are willing to try.

For those who lack an academic background, working as a housemaid or babysitter could be a choice. Many housemaids and baby sitters return home during the fasting month as they want to spend their Idul Fitri holidays in their home town. This creates a high demand for those two informal jobs as most people are in dire need of their services during Ramadhan.

In many countries baby sitting and working as a housemaid are common part-time jobs during holidays. The problem may be that in this country most women who have been working in discotheques and other entertainment establishments are reluctant to become housemaids or baby sitters. Even sex workers, who are also affected by the gubernatorial decree, may consider being a housemaid as lacking in prestige and degrading. However, this is unwise and impractical to think too much about prestige when so many seasonal or part-time jobs are there for the taking.