What people say about all the migrants

What people say about all the migrants

JAKARTA (JP): This is a city of hope and challenge for many,
an arena to try their luck in the great adventure of life.

They come from all corners of the country in search of
opportunities, jobs and a better life, both for them and their
families back in the provinces.

Migrants add to the city's colorful ethnic mosaic, but also
compete with native Jakartans (Betawi) and long-settled residents
for jobs.

The Jakarta Post interviewed several people -- both native
born and recent arrivals -- on the contribution of migrants.

Neran, a native Jakartan and security guard at a private
school in Bekasi, east of Jakarta: Personally, I have no problem
with the migrants. I live peacefully with them. But I think there
are too many people in Jakarta as it is, and urbanization should
be stopped. Too many people will only make Jakarta overcrowded.

The collection of people from various ethnic groups makes
Jakarta rich. But the modern, varied lifestyles of these migrants
have led most Betawi young people to forget their own culture.

Many Betawi believe they have been pushed by the migrants to
the outskirts of the city. Most Betawi live in the suburbs
because they sold their land to the migrants.

Many of my relatives and friends also think the increasing
number of migrants has lowered their chances of landing better
jobs.

Luhsanti Supargiyanto, a Javanese mother of two, resident of
Jakarta for 28 years, who is employed at an insurance adjuster on
Jl. Jend. Sudirman: I just gave birth to a child early this year
and I really need my two maids (also migrants) to do the
household work and take care of my oldest daughter, who is only
three years old.

When the maids are not here, I have to go to my mother's house
because I am unable to do the household work and take care of the
children without assistance. What's more, my husband still has to
go to the office.

I am glad my mother lives close to my house. My sisters and
brothers, who are also working, can still do the household
chores, including washing and ironing, before going to work. They
can also help me take care of my daughter during the evening.

I really hope my maids return from the Idul Fitri holiday as
soon as possible.

Sunaryo, a taxi driver, father of nine and Central Java
native: Well, this year is really difficult for everybody.

I moved here in 1957 and I feel like a Jakartan myself. The
more people who come to Jakarta, the more difficult it becomes to
find work.

I do not blame people who come here to earn a living; they are
probably not interested in farming in their villages. Farmers
have to deal with high risks and costs, and they still do not
earn much from selling their products.

I do not think they would move here if they could make a lot
of money through farming.

I do not mind if many migrants come here because I believe I
will still earn enough to feed my family if I try hard. And most
of my children are working so I have nothing to worry about.

Endah Limawati, a Jakarta-born internal auditor of the Aspac
Group: It is nice having fewer people in Jakarta (during the
Lebaran mass return to hometowns) because I don't have to go to
the office first thing in the morning. The streets are not very
crowded, and it only takes about 20 minutes from my home to the
office. Usually, I have to spend more than an hour to get to
work.

Then again, I also miss the people, especially the food
vendors, because I have to eat instant noodles for breakfast and
sometimes also for lunch. There is no Padang food or noodles
since street vendors are still on holiday.

And the office boys are still on leave, so I can't ask them to
order food for me.

I also have to do household work to help my mother because our
maids are also on holiday.

I think there are more minuses than pluses without the
migrants.

Widuri Sukandar, a Javanese housewife and mother of five, who
moved to Jakarta in 1970: I have two maids who started their Idul
Fitri holiday on Jan. 17. I realized my children and I would have
to work harder while they were away.

During Ramadhan, we missed the pre-dawn meal once because we
overslept. And I was so busy preparing the Idul Fitri meals.

The main problem for me is when I go shopping at the nearby
traditional market. My children are at work and the house is
empty. I am always scared someone will break in.

I just hope the dairy vendor returns soon. Then I will not
have to leave the house to go to the market.

I hope they will return soon.

Mohammad Iqbal, owner of a barbershop in Joglo, West Jakarta:
I am from Garut, West Java, and have been a barber for 27 years.
It all started in 1960 when my late father set up shop under a
tree; all he had was a chair, several pieces of cloth and a few
items of barber equipment.

I am proud of my job because it is needed by all the people. I
am not ashamed that I have to sweep up hair on the floor -- that
is the work of a barber.

When I return to Garut, I always tell my neighbors that my
profession earns me a good income.

My comments piqued the interest of some, who have come here to
become barbers. They, too, have found they can earn a lot of
money.

I brought my children and relatives here from my hometown and
they are following in my footsteps. They have opened several
barbershops around Jakarta.

But now, in the crisis, my earnings are not as much as before.
I formerly earned Rp 100,000 a day, but the number of customers
decreases almost daily. On average, just 10 people get a haircut,
which costs Rp 3,500, at my shop. (gis/yan/lnt)