From Kompas:
Basuki: We will pay rubbish scavengers 2 Million Rupiah [US$200] Per Month
The Jakarta Provincial Government continues to brainstorm ideas to find the perfect solution to solve its garbage problem. The current plan is to employ rubbish scavengers with a guaranteed salary of Rp 2 million per month [US$200].
This idea was first communicated to the press by the Deputy Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Purnama Tjahaja. According to him, these are Joko Widodo’s wishes as the Jakarta Governor to involve all stakeholders in solving the garbage and waste problems that continue to mount in the capital city.
“We’re not just talking about river cleanup or cleaning routines. We want everyone to participate to maintaining our city,“ said Basuki at the Jakarta City Hall.
Basuki explained that this effort would bring mutual benefit both for the scavengers and for reducing the amount of garbage in Jakarta. In addition, the scavengers can sort out the trash that still have value for sale and dump the rest of the trash accordingly.
‘Yes, we will provide them with a fixed salary. If we spend Rp 2 million for 2,000 people then it’s only going to cost Rp 48 billion. It is better than having a Rp 75 billion budget yet all the garbage problems still exist” he said.
Comments from Kaskus:
hhendryz:
An ordinary office worker’s salary is about Rp 2.2 million [US$ 220]… In comparison, the scavengers’ salary will be Rp 2 million [US$200]… Therefore, there will be more job alternatives for those bachelor degree graduates. lol.
Fenz:
Yay, it’s so cool that bachelor degree graduates can now work as office workers while high school graduates or below can work as garbage scavengers! Fantastic! We all are getting downgraded..! The value of our diploma is becoming more worthless as people start thinking they can get a Rp 2.2 million salary without even going to school.
Kucingpejantan:
Sorry, I don’t mean to offend you guys, but have you guys ever tried to work as a scavenger? That question is for those who said that Rp 2 million salary is too high for doing such menial work. Have you considered that this work includes cleaning the gutters which are full of wet garbage which are disgusting and not easily picked up?
I personally think it’s a very tough job so 2 million is a very reasonable salary if not maybe more. I don’t think I could do work like that as I would rather be sitting behind a desk.
NiceWilliams:
I also want to apply to work as a scavenger [if the salary is that high]! Hahahaha…
Fox_lyan:
Simply add the word “professional” to the [scavenger] title! It’ll work when you meet your future in-laws later ..
Future in-laws: What kind of job do you have that allows you to marry my daughter?
Scavenger: I’m a scavenger, a professional scavenger!
Future in-laws: Wowwww …… LOL!
Lucky_777:
Isn’t 2 million too high for a scavenger’s salary?
I’m sure there will be lots of people who want to work as scavengers now….
Ujangndut:
A scavenger would surely be richer than high school graduates after this.
Minzi cool:
Jakarta is getting more chaotic ….
Bachelor degree graduates can only work as mini-mart employees…
While those below [high school graduates] would work as scavenger with a similar salary…
Pikoq:
Even public service employees are only paid 1.7 [million rupiah] salaries.. OMG…!
Meabejo:
A salary is usually directly proportional with production output.
If public service employees can take the morning off or spend half the day reading newspapers plus chit-chat then why should they be paid higher?
If the scavengers are given targets to clean certain road perimeters and they can achieve the target, why not give them a salary of Rp. 2 million?
Your diploma can only help so much as many people can still be successful despite the lack of a proper education. Ultimately, I believe that salary should be directly proportional to work output, otherwise it’ll be similar to our parliament members.
Lionheartrizal:
That’s a good idea, boss! We should also make a movie with title The Scavengers to rival The Avengers film. hahahaha…
Everslow:
2 million is a very acceptable salary. Remember that there are many life-threatening diseases around that garbage…
Ravalinos:
That’s a very good idea!
The introduction of this job can reduce the unemployment rate in Jakarta…
Typethat:
If I’m not mistaken, the scavenger’s salary in Australia is around A$5000-A$6000
Therefore, Rp. 2 million salary is actually still not much when compared to Australia.
Azizwae93:
This news does not motivate me to continue studying…=(
What do you think? Is the proposed salary for garbage scavengers unreasonable high?
