Posted by surfaddict on Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 13:34 Bali Time:
The average daily wage for a worker in the clothing industry in Indonesia is about RP$15,000. Other industries are a bit less, some a bit more.
In my opinion Westerners who tip or pay large amounts relative to the local wages are distorting the local economy and messing with the work ethic of the local people.
Can you imagine what would happen at your local airport if you payed someone nearly an average Australian days wage, that is, about AUS$100, to carry your bag from the baggage corousel to a taxi. And then, if you paid the cab driver AUS$300 for the trip to the city. People would swamp the airport seeking opportunities to carry peoples luggage and drive them places.
The same sort of logic applies throughout Bali. Why should someone labour all day (or week) making clothes, fishing, or working in the rice fields, when if there are tourists around, they can perhaps pick up a days or even a weeks wages for a possibly only few minutes work for a tourist.
It would mess with my head and make me feel a bit stupid if I slaved away all week only to be regaled at the local pub by stories from my mates of picking up a weeks wages for half a days work.
Follow Ups:
- GET A LIFE David Perth Friday, 12. May 2006 at 10:11 Bali Time (1)
- Income & international standards Bali Jo Friday, 12. May 2006 at 08:44 Bali Time (0)
- Very good observation Heatherbelle Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 17:15 Bali Time (0)
- Same here SueL Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 15:39 Bali Time (34)
- well LynneeD Friday, 12. May 2006 at 13:23 Bali Time (0)
- I have a dad and 2 brothers reiki Friday, 12. May 2006 at 09:51 Bali Time (0)
- No comparrison didiaust Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 18:11 Bali Time (28)
- agree Di dennisc Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 21:57 Bali Time (9)
- Just so you know SueL Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 21:06 Bali Time (1)
- Sounds nasty didiaust Friday, 12. May 2006 at 04:11 Bali Time (0)
- the danger in education is Angela Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 20:33 Bali Time (15)
- the average teachers salary dennisc Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 21:59 Bali Time (14)
- same old story LynneeD Friday, 12. May 2006 at 13:20 Bali Time (4)
- The average teachers MissD Friday, 12. May 2006 at 11:13 Bali Time (6)
- welcome dennisc Saturday, 13. May 2006 at 16:05 Bali Time (5)
- Dennis, where did you get Fiona Saturday, 13. May 2006 at 19:07 Bali Time (3)
- hi Fiona dennisc Monday, 15. May 2006 at 11:36 Bali Time (2)
- Dennis MissD Saturday, 13. May 2006 at 18:48 Bali Time (0)
- actually Alanna Friday, 12. May 2006 at 08:18 Bali Time (0)
- salary Angela Friday, 12. May 2006 at 06:55 Bali Time (0)
- Skew-Wiffy maverick Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 16:27 Bali Time (2)
- well said dennisc Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 22:01 Bali Time (0)
- Apologies SueL Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 21:09 Bali Time (0)
- the little old lady dopey Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 15:24 Bali Time (4)
- How it is unfortunately LynneeD Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 15:14 Bali Time (5)
- doesn't seem to bother dennisc Thursday, 11. May 2006 at 13:54 Bali Time (3)