In Reply to: Cost of living for locals posted by Pugs on Monday, 9. May 2011 at 20:21 Bali Time:
One of the interests my partner has is owning a fleet of vehicles and hiring drivers.
We have two personal use drivers that are paid 10,000 rupiah per hour driving time or 100,000 for a day trip. They will pick up clients from the airport, drive her to meetings etc. Log books are kept and they are paid weekly.
Unfortuantely sometimes she finds out they will ask the client for fuel money (which she pays), or send an email to the client saying they can't afford to eat and need money. She would happily help them out if in need, but thinks it's unprofessional them hitting up her clients.
To be honest I try not to use them or get involved. Myself earning AUD and knowing they only get paid so little. If they are driving me around i'll invite to join me for lunch/dinner and look after them. Treat them as a friend not a driver. I end up in the bad books!
Seems like they do alright during the peak months earning over 2M Rupiah, however normally must return to Java in off peak or find another job on the side.
They do spend alot of the money on smokes, grog, where my partner has tried to help them purchase their own car and motorbikes. Her long time maid currently has a car and 5 motorbikes rented out.