In Reply to: Poverty or the Rich posted by daza on Monday, 18. June 2012 at 10:52 Bali Time:
areas of Kuta and Legian (I mentioned Legian and Seminyak), I can only speak for the ladies that work there and the surrounding areas - I am not talking about remote areas. I just don't want to see these people being taken for a fool, there's people on here that have said they've been reduced to tears over some local salaries.
This was for those that believe the people they meet down on the Beach or working in their hotel or massage place in Legain for example are doing it tough.
The fact that I don't wear sunglasses is not the only thing you have a little incorrect from my side (if you can't see someones eyes then what are they hiding, an old Balinese man told me the younger generation wear them to cover their guilt, I stopped wearing them immediately).
1. Actually the facts are, that in the areas you mentioned there is absolutely no fee payable to any school until Senior High School (I know as I have had to investigate to send underprivileged children to schools in those Regions). You are correct about uniforms, except there are more than 3, and that can be a problem if you have more than a few children. If you have been charged a fee at a school then that is corruption, I once had a Deputy Head try to pocket 350,000IDR
2. Fact, Kosts are still cheap and include electricity - I know as I pay for some students to stay in them so they can come down here for further studies. Actually, about to send a student up to Singaraja for Senior High as its the cheapest on the Island.
3. Hotel workers in the places registered for service and tax should get minimum wage and if they don't then they'll get caught eventually - and that's got nothing to do with corruption, the employment system here is actually one of the best I have seen in the world (it nearly impossible fire someone here, where else can you sleep at work and play on your phone and not get fired, seriously, these are many issues employers have) and they do get pensions, and health insurance in the larger hotels . Even in a small run family place there is still a system (13th month paid, tips etc). As you know, since you live here you too can contribute to a pension plan, if you put in any tax returns here for you or your staff you pay it then.
4. There are of course many other smaller run hotels that don't have the means to pay large salaries and pay under the taxable threshold (which many employees prefer, many are not long term thinkers so don't think about the pension if they paid tax) then they still get things like meals at work etc and then cash tips divided at the end of the week. If you know of anyone not being paid the appropriate wage then I believe you should take the time to explain to them that there are so many job vacancies at the moment and it might be time to leave.
5. I cannot speak for any staff working in Sanur as I don't know any however I can speak for cost of ceremonies as I participate in them and I can tell you when we don't have enough money to make a big splendor we don't make a big splendor and our Dewa's do not mind either way.
3. Fuel is still 4500, has not risen yet and did go up to 6,000 a few years back but came back down pretty quickly.
4. As far as Orphanages are concerned, as I have never been to one I cannot comment but I can tell you that there are 79,200 people on the "poor" list at present. To be on the "poor" list you are registered with your Kepala Desa and you can get assistance through the government. I know as I use the list and letters from Kepal Desa's to get free medical etc for "poor" people. We also do have a social services system and they will come out to the "poor" people and help, especially for disabled, you just need someone who cares enough to contact them as many "poor" people are not educated or aware of the systems out there to help them or in fact too proud to ask.
5. Our family run 3 farms in the poorest regions of Bali and in Sumbawa and we have to provide Health insurance and life insurance for the whole family of the farmers.
6. Your mention of the Police wages being low is a long winded debate that many have had over the years. I have been to many ceremonies with Police and on a few too many drinks I've asked the question about wages and never once got a complaint about it, they have always said it's fine, and I do ask it a lot. I don't think I'll ever know what they "really earn". Once a guy did say he moved his whole family over to Bali as the wages are higher here and he can live in a nicer house. I've been to only 3 different Police Officers homes and they are all extremely nice.
I do like your mention of Bintang prices going up, that continual price increase has nearly put me on the "poor" list a few times.