Taxi drivers' afflictions

Taxi drivers' afflictions

I recently came across a taxi driver who told me that the July
27 riot made life difficult for taxi drivers in town.

Several taxis were torched by the rioters and some were
stoned. The taxi drivers were facing a dilemma. If they did not
go to work, how would they feed their families? If they worked
and their car was vandalized, who should take the responsibility?
The insurance company would undoubtedly waive any claim for
compensation because a riot is a case of force majeure.

Additionally there is the problem of the bank loan engaged by
the owner to acquire the vehicle. Now he has to pay back the
money in installments. Hence, the owner who might lose a taxi in
a riot would receive no compensation from the insurance company
while he would have to continue repaying the loan. The driver
would lose his means of generating income to boot.

Another case of interest was that of a small garment shop
owner. She could only lament her bad luck. Her shop was burned
down after the rioters had plundered everything inside, including
the sewing machines. Only the charred frame of the shop remains.

A. DJUANA

Jakarta