`The longer the holiday, the more sluggish my business will be'

The country's economic slowdown has motivated the government to shift certain national holidays to allow people to have a longer weekend, in order to boost domestic tourism. This week, people have four consecutive days off, starting Thursday. People in the informal sector, however, have a mixed reaction to the new policy. One of them even complained because the longer holidays meant less income, as related to The Jakarta Post.

Cecek, 27, is a pushcart vendor who sells siomay (a variety of dim sum) in West Jakarta. He lives in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, with his colleagues:

I completely disagree with the government policy to shift the national holidays.

Of course, those who have permanent jobs, or employees, will enjoy the benefit of the policy. But it doesn't affect low-income people like me.

I'm able to sell my food because many of my customers are employees, or busy people at work. I can earn around Rp 30,000 per day on a normal day.

But it is very different if there are many days off. Most of my customers won't buy my food because they're not going to work.

It means the longer the holiday, the more sluggish my business will be. People prefer to stay at home and have lunch with the family rather than go out for food like this.

Besides, I object to the change of the national holiday because it affects the significance of certain commemorations, particularly the religious ones.

I feel that way if I celebrate a religious event on a different day to the original. It seems that there is something missing and less sacred, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I'll continue working, regardless of the longer holiday.

Riyanto, 32, is a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver at Slipi, West Jakarta. He lives in Depok, West Java, with his wife and two children:

I agree with the government's new policy to shift the national holiday. As far as I know, the policy is to extend the holiday for employees, in addition to their weekend.

Perhaps it will make their work more effective, rather than having days on and days off, as in previous years.

I don't feel annoyed by the change. Every day is the same for poor people like me.

My day off is always up to me because it greatly depends on whether or not I want to work.

Thus far the national holidays have not affected my work too much.

I will keep on working, otherwise I will not earn money for the monthly installments on my motorbike. Last month the dealer threatened to take back the bike because I failed to pay an installment.

Therefore -- like it or not -- I have to work hard to support my family, my children's education and payment of my motorbike installments, despite the holiday and sluggish business.

Riyadi, 32, is an employee with a multinational organization in Kuningan, South Jakarta. He lives in Karet Belakang, South Jakarta, with his friends:

I am very pleased at the government's policy to move the national holiday.

To some extent, it is very effective for people who work in offices because we will have a longer holiday.

However, I don't have any plans to go out of town during these holidays. I would rather spend time with my girlfriend somewhere here in the city.

I can understand that the policy is meant to boost domestic tourism in an attempt to address the national economic downturn. This is an economic motive.

However, I do have a small objection to the policy, particularly when it deals with religious commemoration. In a way, it has reduced the true meaning of the commemoration in the hearts of believers.

-- Leo Wahyudi S