The harsh reality of being homeless in Jakarta

[pantaiema]

New documentaries from CNN. This video highlights the issue of income inequality in Jakarta, where many residents live in poverty despite a high per capita income in Jakarta. The video focuses on individuals who reside under bridges to save on living expenses.

Two main individuals are featured:
Wanto (32yo) has lived under a bridge connecting Jalan Guntur and Jalan Cikdiro since he was 12. He works as a scavenger, collecting plastic bottles and metal cans, and sells them for Rp 5,000-6,000 per kg

Subur (69yo) has lived under the Halimun bridge for over 20 years and works as 'Pekerja Serabutan' doing everything legal he could do to earn little money.

The video concludes by emphasizing that Wanto and Subur represent the marginalized citizens of Jakarta who hope for a better future with improved living conditions and housing.

Keep in mind that in Indonesia, there are no government benefits available for the homeless, no free access to basic food or shelter. This is the harsh reality they face. If they can’t find help and have no family, friends, or relatives to support them, they may be left to die on the streets of Jakarta.

Now compare these homeless people in Indonesia with those in developed countries such as in Australia like discussed in this thread.

Homelessness

Australia invented the stump jump plough and quite a few other things. We really are very clever. And now the Moreton Bay Council in New South Wales has come up with the perfect solution for homesslessness. They have made homelessness illegal with an $8065 fine. I wonder what the $65 is for. The...

www.expatindo.org

 

[harryopal1]

New documentaries from CNN. This video highlights the issue of income inequality in Jakarta, where many residents live in poverty despite a high per capita income in Jakarta. The video focuses on individuals who reside under bridges to save on living expenses.

Two main individuals are featured:
Wanto (32yo) has lived under a bridge connecting Jalan Guntur and Jalan Cikdiro since he was 12. He works as a scavenger, collecting plastic bottles and metal cans, and sells them for Rp 5,000-6,000 per kg

Subur (69yo) has lived under the Halimun bridge for over 20 years and works as 'Pekerja Serabutan' doing everything legal he could do to earn little money.

The video concludes by emphasizing that Wanto and Subur represent the marginalized citizens of Jakarta who hope for a better future with improved living conditions and housing.

Keep in mind that in Indonesia, there are no government benefits available for the homeless, no free access to basic food or shelter. This is the harsh reality they face. If they can’t find help and have no family, friends, or relatives to support them, they may be left to die on the streets of Jakarta.

Now compare these homeless people in Indonesia with those in developed countries such as in Australia like discussed in this thread.

Homelessness

Australia invented the stump jump plough and quite a few other things. We really are very clever. And now the Moreton Bay Council in New South Wales has come up with the perfect solution for homesslessness. They have made homelessness illegal with an $8065 fine. I wonder what the $65 is for. The...

www.expatindo.org

What is your point? There is no doubt that the poorest in Indonesia are worse off than poor people in countries like Australia. This does not mean the issue of poverty and homelessness in Australia is not worthy of comment.

 

[Jaime C]

It seems most of the safety net for the homeless, mentally ill, substance abusers is through relatives, or mosques.

Not many pensions in the private sector. So, if you don’t have assets, or adult kids to support you, it’s not a pretty picture.

The US has many of the same problems, but most homeless may have some sort of social benefits. Some states pay to bus homeless people to other states. Immigrants were sent to Democratic areas by Florida, Texas and others. Often at a large expense to bus or fly people.

 

[pantaiema]

It seems most of the safety net for the homeless, mentally ill, substance abusers is through relatives, or mosques.

That's true, but in Indonesia, it's not only mosques, other religious organizations do the same. However, mosques are more prominent, as their number far exceeds the combined total of viharas, temples, and churches, and other types of house of worships

Not many pensions in the private sector. So, if you don’t have assets, or adult kids to support you, it’s not a pretty picture.

The US has many of the same problems, but most homeless may have some sort of social benefits. Some states pay to bus homeless people to other states.

In Indonesia there is the so called 'BPJS tenaga kerja' but it is inferior by far comparing to the one you get from developed countries. This is not a benefit system, so you will only get it if you work as formal employees. Also do not forget in many developed countries you also get state pension.

Immigrants were sent to Democratic areas by Florida, Texas and others. Often at a large expense to bus or fly people.

It seems to me that the issue of homelessness is being politicized. I understand this will benefit a particular swing state for a party under the 'winner take all' system.

There's also no doubt that many reasons for becoming homeless in developed countries. While mental illness, sudden loss of income might also be an issue in Indonesia, it's typically less problematic as in Indonesia those affected are often cared for by their families, relatives, etc. However, people becoming homeless due to drug addiction or alcoholism are very rare there. In fact, In Indonesia, drug addiction and alcoholism are typically among individuals from affluent backgrounds which are very low percentage in Indonesia.

 

[Saudade]

For me, seeing the level of social inequality in Indonesia has always been very painful, as has the lack of social resources and government aid. Bali's mix of super-luxury hotels and luxurious villas, along with the poverty that very few people see, sickens me. For a life that only we live, we should all live it with more dignity and greater equality. It's not fair, although I imagine there are many things that aren't fair in this life, but living it with basic needs met would be the bare minimum: a home, food, education, healthcare.
I'm a social worker, and for 25 years, we've had a foundation that helps children and young people with physical and mental disabilities. I've seen many things, which is perhaps why I'm more sensitive to social inequalities.