What's behind the strike?

Minibus drivers in Jakarta greeted the long delayed new traffic ruling which, among other things, increases ticketing up to four fold, with a strike this week.

Unlike state-owned bus firms, private minibus companies employ their drivers based on daily dues. They have no regular wages and this fact alone mirrors the subordinate position of the drivers in the working relationship.

The strike is their last move for survival when all avenues have been treaded, including traffic ruling violations in their operations.

The strike signals an "overlapping" point. The question is how could the hitherto unrighteous drivers demand to knock off the new ruling which is something right and ask for justification for lower penalties which is wrong as it is against the law?

This is not a really black and white situation as their demand for justification is based on the need for them to be able to live with earnings that are just enough to survive.

When the upholding of justice is still a problem, violation does not seem an aberration and this is the unlikely situation we are in.

-- Kompas, Jakarta