The Story of Susanah, the Family Economy, from Sewing Cloth to the Controversy of Rp700 Thousand Wages

Susanah, a resident of Bogor Cileleungsi Bogor, attended the MPR Annual Session, Friday, August 14, 2026 (Bakom RI)

BOGOR - Susanah (38) lives a life full of persistence to support his family's needs. Living in a simple house with a triplex wall with her husband and three children, Susanah works on various jobs to increase the family's income.

Susanah's name later became the public's attention after a controversy arose regarding the work of peeling onions with claims of wages reaching Rp. 700 thousand per kilogram. However, in his statement, Susanah actually said that the work he routinely does now is sewing majun cloth with a fee of Rp. 700 per kilogram.

The controversy has come under the spotlight because the amount of Rp700 thousand per kilogram is considered not in line with the conditions of the job and income presented by Susanah in his statement. Therefore, information regarding the nominal wage for peeling onions needs to be clarified so as not to create a wrong perception among the public.

Every morning after Subuh prayer and preparing breakfast for the children, Susanah does sewing for majun cloth, which is a piece of cloth or piece of leftover material that is reused as a cleaning cloth.

The work was carried out from around 07.00 to noon. Susanah received a wage of Rp. 700 for each kilogram of fabric sewn. On weekdays, he was able to complete about 20 kilograms of fabric. On holidays, along with a number of other mothers, he can even work up to 50 kilograms.

"Alhamdulillah banget ya, even though one day 20 kilos of clothes, 20 times Rp700 is only how much, Rp14,000. Yes, thank God for counting the money, the savings. Later if there is no pocket money, just ask like that (to the boss)," said Susanah in Cileungsi, Bogor, West Java, in an interview with the Indonesian Government Communication Agency, quoted Friday, August 14.

After sewing, at around 13.00 WIB, Susanah continued her activities by working as a pre-cleaner in the kitchen of Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) or Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).

"During the day, I work at the MBG kitchen as a washing ompreng," he said.

Meanwhile, her husband, Didim, works as a construction worker with an uncertain income. When he gets a job, Didim earns a wage of around Rp. 120,000 to Rp. 150,000 per day. However, it is not uncommon for him not to get a job for two to three weeks.

This condition makes Susanah and her family have to manage finances carefully. Since 2024, her family has been registered as beneficiaries of the Family Hope Program (PKH). Previously, Susanah also received social assistance through the Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT).

Susanah is one of the beneficiaries of the PKH whose name was mentioned by President Prabowo Subianto in a state of the nation address at the DPR/MPR building.

For Susanah, the PKH assistance is very helpful in meeting daily needs. Every time the assistance is received, he immediately uses it to buy basic necessities, such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, and soap.

"Every time I get help, I immediately buy rice, buy oil, stock up at home. Buy soap, buy eggs for the children," said Susanah.

Apart from PKH, Susanah's three children also receive assistance through the Indonesia Smart Program (PIP). This assistance also helps Susanah meet the educational needs of her children.

Education is one of the main priorities for Susanah and her husband. Although he only went to elementary school, he hopes that his three children can get as much education as possible, even to college.

"School is important for children. Where is the path, even though there are debts, still go to school. Let's get a diploma, let's apply for the job," he said.

Susanah admitted that she did not want her children to feel the difficulties she had experienced. Therefore, he tried to maintain his children's education even though the family's economic condition was limited.

"If it's a matter of education, it's very important for me and the school, especially if the father is only a graduate of elementary school. I want to send my child to school, actually I want to go to college," he said.

According to Susanah, government programs also have a direct impact on her family's life. PKH helps meet household needs, while the MBG program gives her the opportunity to earn additional income.

"The impact is that, thank God, the economy is helping," he said.

In the future, Susanah has the desire to build her own business so that she does not have to depend on others forever. She also hopes that her husband can have his own business, one of which is by raising chickens.

"If the economy improves, you want to have your own business, not from people. Isn't it all bosses, even to the machines, to the scissors equipment alone have bosses," he said.

The controversy regarding the nominal wage peeling onions is expected not to obscure the main problem faced by Susanah and her family, namely how to meet daily needs in the midst of limited and uncertain income.

Susanah also expressed his appreciation for the government's assistance that he had received through a number of social programs.

"Thank you for giving PKH social assistance to those of us who are less able. With the MBG program, I was able to work at MBG, so I could help my husband, increase my income. With the PIP program, thank God my three children also received PIP," he said.