Young women find fair a chance for fun, money

Young women find fair a chance for fun, money

JAKARTA (JP): The annual trade fair in Jakarta, besides
promoting the latest goods and products of local and foreign
companies, also offers young women the opportunity to earn money
by working as part-time saleswomen.

At the 1999 Jakarta Fair, event organizers and companies
taking part in the exhibition are employing some 500 young women
to promote the various products on display.

The women, most of whom are university students earning money
during their school break, are hired to inform visitors about the
goods and products displayed at the fair.

"It is fun and a well-paid job," said Ester, who has worked at
a number of exhibitions over the past two years, including the
Jakarta Fair.

"I enjoy the job so much I plan to take this up as my career,"
she told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Ester said she could earn about Rp 1 million (US$134) during
the fair, which opened last Sunday.

Besides earning money, she also has the opportunity to meet
people from different walks of life, she said.

She said she did not have any trouble with her job, although
she had to work until 11 p.m.

A number of part-time saleswomen interviewed by the Post said
the received between Rp 30,000 and Rp 200,000 per day, depending
on the products they sold. The more exclusive the product, the
more money they earn. The most exclusive items are cars,
cigarettes and houses.

To become a part-time saleswoman for these products is
difficult, and women must meet a number of criteria. They must be
of a certain height, slim and attractive, as well as a high
school graduate.

Most of the women applied for jobs directly with companies
exhibiting at the fair or exhibition organizers, while others
went through agencies.

Another part-time saleswoman, Telly, who got her job through
an agency, said she had to give between 10 percent and 20 percent
of her salary to the agency.

Prior to the opening of the exhibition, the women received one
or two-day product knowledge training. Some companies also set
sales targets for the women.

Most companies employ the part-time saleswomen in two shifts,
and those who work the night shift are given extra facilities,
including cars to take them home. (04)