When The East Jakarta City Government Was Protested By The Batok Charcoal Craftsmen, The Small Industry Became A Target, The Kakap Class Was Left Behind

Andi Lukman, a charcoal batok craftsman in East Jakarta/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - Andi Lukman, owner of the home-class charcoal shell industry, expressed his disappointment with the East Jakarta City Government (East Jakarta City Government). He was upset, and considered the East Jakarta City Government to be unprofessional when closing its business.

According to Andi, the policy implemented by the East Jakarta City Government is very unprofessional. In fact, it only creates new problems because it eliminates the search for residents without any solution. Not only that, said Andi, the East Jakarta City Government is unfair, enforcement of these rules is not evenly distributed. Because, said Andi, only a few places where charcoal is made have been temporarily closed.

Moreover, the government's attitude in providing compensation wages is not proportional to one week of income.

"Actually, I don't want to accept the money, but I like it or not, it won't go against government policies, if one week it can be Rp. 8 million," he said.

The operational costs for making charcoal compensation from the City Government reached Rp. 4.2 million. With compensation of Rp. 4.2 million, Andi was forced to remove 12 of his workers.

According to Dian, one of the workers in Andi's charcoal manufacturing costs, the compensation costs are small because they are not commensurate with the transportation costs and employee salaries. The municipal government is also considered unfair in implementing policies.

Dian said that he saw that there were still several large factories related to burning but still operating. Dian complained that the City Government's attitude was targeting the small MSME industry.

"I don't think the government is objective in sealing this place. Because large factories such as coal and tofu factories are still operating in Jakarta," he regretted.