The organized beggar 'business'

The organized beggar 'business'

Thousands of beggars have been flocking to the capital city of
Jakarta since the fasting month of Ramadhan began one week ago.

They have become quite visible at busy intersections, shopping
areas and other public places not only during working hours, but
also at night time.

Stiff competition among them has obviously forced them to
prolong their operation hours.

The "business" is managed by a "godfather" who brings them
here from their villages and houses them in a certain place in
Jakarta. The beggars are dropped off at strategic areas every
morning and taken home in the evening. In this way the "profits"
are shared by an agreement between the beggars and the bosses.

This sort of organized panhandling is still relatively
lucrative in Jakarta despite economic hard times for most. A
beggar can often collect between Rp 20,000 and Rp 100,000 a day.
An amount that is higher than a full-time taxi driver's daily
take-home earnings, which average around Rp 70,000.

How is it possible that these beggars can collect that amount
of money? Because many Jakartans take pity on them, not realizing
that it is part of an organized ring, and that they are not truly
homeless and destitute as some are led to believe.

It was interesting to hear of Central Jakarta Mayor Petra
Lumbun's appeal to the public not to be taken in so easily by the
panhandlers. The appeal was a rational one, but that is not
enough to stop them from operating.

Based on past experiences, rounding them up and punishing them
will not stop them from operating.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta