Jakarta’s 200,000 street vendors face an uncertain future if the new city ordinance is enforced. The bylaw says no “individual or institution may trade with street vendors, give money or goods to beggars, buskers or car windshield cleaners.” It makes all street business illegal. It is estimated the 200,000 street vendors each month pay out about $1.5 billion for protection, in extortion or for illegal fees. Most of these people are individuals who come from rural areas where there is extensive poverty.
It will be interesting to see if the City Council of Jakarta is going to arrest 200,000 people or end this silly law. The real issue is providing meaningful work and living conditions for poor people, something which is it doubtful to be undertaken by city authorities.
