Former Dolly Sex Workers Participates in 2016 Surabaya Great Expo
21 May 2016 17:30 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Surabaya's City Administration has set aside two free booths for Putat Jaya - a small and medium enterprise (SME) which collaborates with former sex workers from the now-defunct Dolly red-light district who wishes to promote their products in the upcoming Surabaya Great Expo, which is held in Surabaya's Grand City Mall to celebrate Surabaya's 723th anniversary.
"The Administration has agreed to provide a space for former Dolly sex workers in the event," confirmed the Project Manager for Surabaya's Great Expo, Tomi Redianto.
Yani, a member of Putat Jaya, also confirmed to Tempo on Thursday, May 19, 2016, that Surabaya's Trade and Industry Agency has agreed to provide two free booths for Putat Jaya members to market their goods. "We have the full support of the Agency," said Yani, who sells her 'Samijali' crackers at the Expo.
Previously, Yani and other Putat Jaya members had to rely on events held by non-governmental organisations to promote their products, which helped them build their marketing skills. Eventually, they were able to self-market their products - but this time around, the Administration has agreed to help them to promote their products into a larger market.
"With the support of the government, we can get more profit out of our products," said Yani, who said that she managed to reap a profit of Rp300,000 in the first day of the Expo.
Other products that are exhibited and sold in the event include hand-made shoes, batik, t-shirts, as well as food and snacks.
Since the closure of the Dolly red-light district on June 18, 2014, many sex workers have chosen to take up courses provided by the Administration to help them transition into normal life. Some took up sewing courses and become tailors, while others took culinary courses and have succeeded in producing and marketing their beverage and culinary creations. "Former Dolly workers have formed at least 50 SMEs - but only a select few have registered their enterprises to the Trade and Industry Agency," said Surti, another Putat Jaya member.
"In fact, an average of five SMEs usually participates in similar events," said Surti, before adding that confidence plays a big part in a sex worker's shift away from prostitution. "A lot of these women are so used to getting a quick fix, they would rather remain in the sex industry than to work like the rest of us."
Surti hopes that the Administration would continue to support former Dolly sex workers in ways other than mere training. "What's the point of having all these skill and vocational training, if these women don't know how to market their products and enter the workforce," finished Surti.
VIJAY INDOPUTRA (MAGANG) | NI