Sutiyoso puts out no vacancy sign for migrants

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Fearing a massive influx of migrants after the Idul Fitri holiday, Governor Sutiyoso again warned would-be job seekers against coming to the city.

"We have no problem if they just come for vacation. But if they think they can find a job here, they are completely wrong. Job opportunities are hard to come by here, especially for unskilled workers," Sutiyoso told a group of people at the Senen railway station in Central Jakarta preparing to return to their hometowns for Idul Fitri.

The governor was visiting bus terminals and railway stations in the city to monitor the Idul Fitri exodus, which is expected to peak on Thursday and Friday.

Sutiyoso said that between 250,000 and 300,000 mostly unskilled migrants came to the capital each year looking for work, further stretching the city's already thin resources.

"We are facing serious problems. The city's population density is approaching 14,000 residents per square kilometer in some areas," he said.

Jakarta is a magnet for people from less developed regions, with about 70 percent of the country's money circulating here.

The migrants usually end up in low-paid jobs in the informal sector. However, many fail to find any work at all and end up roaming the city's streets.

The City Mental, Spiritual and Social Welfare Agency said on Wednesday it had detained almost 7,000 homeless and dispossessed people this year, almost three times as many as were detained last year.

City Population and Civil Registration Agency head Khamil Abdul Kadir said on Thursday his agency would launch identity checks after Idul Fitri in enclaves for unskilled workers.

"We will focus the identity checks on residential areas with the help of community unit and neighborhood unit heads," Kadir said.

Among the residential areas that have been identified as migrant enclaves are Pademangan and Warakas, both in North Jakarta, Palmeriam in East Jakarta, Kali Anyer in West Jakarta, Johar Baru in Central Jakarta and Tebet in South Jakarta.

However, Kadir predicted fewer Jakarta residents would leave the city for Idul Fitri this year than last year. He pointed out that many residents returned to their hometowns earlier this year to vote in the legislative and presidential elections.

According to a new city bylaw, residents must possess a Jakarta identity card or documents showing that they have a permanent job and residence. If unable to produce these documents, residents face a Rp 5 million fine.

Number of people leaving and coming to Jakarta

Year Exodus Influx Increase
1998 2,853,868 3,201,624 4.2%
1999 2,622,430 2,857,215 2.8%
2000 2,159,729 2,416,452 3.1%
2001 2,643,273 2,874,801 1.6%
2002 2,643,273 2,874,801 2.8%
2003 2,816,384 3,021,214 2.5%

Source: City Population and Civil Registration Agency