I'm not going to be fanciful with this post. I wanna bring out to you and see for myself in words the true culture of the Indonesia Batam people, having spent almost a yr with them (on and off - real duration being 9 months).
I do not see literally the wealth hierarchy amongst these people. At Nagoya hill mall where I usually eat my dinners, once I saw an Indonesia Chinese couple with two maids, who donned maid agency uniform so it was obvious they're maids, handling two or three children of their employer.
At the Plaza where I usually do my lunches, this old woman with old musty clothes never fail to sit by the road side with her hand-held pot so people could drop money in there. OK, i never went by the woman near enough to see what she's wearing or holding but kenny (the manger) claims she's always there, and suggested me giving her money.
At the workplace, the Production supervisor openly asked me about the amount of money they are paid - a merely $300 per month, for working 12 hours rotating shift. The Operators would make lesser and the cleaners? I think the cleaners make nothing. Yes, living standard in Batam is low but if you have kids, how many KFC meals can you buy for the children? A KFC meal doesn't cost too far from what we are paying for in Sing.
I feel really awkward about the Production supervisor asking me the question about his salary. Not cos of the amount they are paid, but because the amount their factory is paying my consultancy firm to hire us to help them. Even if he is directing at our pay contrast, it still makes my heart ache. It makes my heart ache more to see the skinny women doing the cleaning at the workplace. Are they earning $100/ month? Do they not have enough food? Are there lights for their children at home to study?
Have you heard of the Chinese Indonesians coming over to Sing to the boutiques at Orchard Ion or Orchard Central to sweep off the latest LV bags? For a weekend, they can spend at a rate that will clear our bank account.
I do not know who these affluent people in Batam are. I'm more farmilar with the "white collar" working people, who can't afford to be extravagent but definately can afford a decent meal. These people have also bought me one of those Batam $2 lunches willingly and happily.
I do not see literally the wealth hierarchy amongst these people. At Nagoya hill mall where I usually eat my dinners, once I saw an Indonesia Chinese couple with two maids, who donned maid agency uniform so it was obvious they're maids, handling two or three children of their employer.
At the Plaza where I usually do my lunches, this old woman with old musty clothes never fail to sit by the road side with her hand-held pot so people could drop money in there. OK, i never went by the woman near enough to see what she's wearing or holding but kenny (the manger) claims she's always there, and suggested me giving her money.
At the workplace, the Production supervisor openly asked me about the amount of money they are paid - a merely $300 per month, for working 12 hours rotating shift. The Operators would make lesser and the cleaners? I think the cleaners make nothing. Yes, living standard in Batam is low but if you have kids, how many KFC meals can you buy for the children? A KFC meal doesn't cost too far from what we are paying for in Sing.
I feel really awkward about the Production supervisor asking me the question about his salary. Not cos of the amount they are paid, but because the amount their factory is paying my consultancy firm to hire us to help them. Even if he is directing at our pay contrast, it still makes my heart ache. It makes my heart ache more to see the skinny women doing the cleaning at the workplace. Are they earning $100/ month? Do they not have enough food? Are there lights for their children at home to study?
Have you heard of the Chinese Indonesians coming over to Sing to the boutiques at Orchard Ion or Orchard Central to sweep off the latest LV bags? For a weekend, they can spend at a rate that will clear our bank account.
I do not know who these affluent people in Batam are. I'm more farmilar with the "white collar" working people, who can't afford to be extravagent but definately can afford a decent meal. These people have also bought me one of those Batam $2 lunches willingly and happily.
