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

`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