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)