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Centralization of Chicken Slaughterhouses in Jakarta must Continue
Jakarta - Chicken collectors and slaughterers in Jakarta are still hesitant with the government’s offer for centralization of chicken slaughterhouses. Besides that, they were also concerned that if they accepted the offer then their customers could go to their competitors.
Yanto, a chicken slaughterer in Radio Dalam, South Jakarta, is still reluctant to move to Kebun Bibit Chicken Slaughterhouse in Petukangan Utara, South Jakarta. He is worried that chicken vendors whom have been his customers until now will be taken over by somebody else because the new location is far away.
“If I lose my customers, I would be forced to fire five of my employees. They all have families,” said Yanto on Thursday (4/3) in Jakarta.
Similar concerns were expressed by Hadi, a chicken slaughterer who has three employees in Poncol, Central Jakarta. His concern arose because there is not centralization of chicken slaughterhouses in Central Jakarta.
Join with the Chicken Slaughterhouse
Head of the Marine and Livestock Service Office for DKI Jakarta, Edy Setiarto, said that the provincial government of DKI Jakarta encourages traditional chicken collectors and slaughterers to join in with the centralization of chicken slaughterhouses. That way the number of people driven to unemployment could be minimized.
“We are currently talking them into joining the chicken slaughterhouse. Several benefits are given to those who join the centralization, such as freeing them from levies,” said Edy.
Edy said the concern of chicken collectors and slaughterers on losing their job is inaccurate. The government does not wish to put them out of business, just to centralize the business.
A day before, Wednesday, hundreds of members of the Association of Chicken Vendors demonstrated in Jakarta, demanding the cancellation of chicken slaughterhouse centralization in five locations assigned by the provincial government of DKI Jakarta. The association believes the centralization will kill their business and cause 22,000 of direct and indirect employees to lose their job.
East Jakarta Vice Mayor, Asep Syarifudin, said many socialization efforts have been done to encourage chicken collectors and slaughterers to join the five chicken slaughterhouse locations provided by the government. Some agree, but others still refuse.
Relocation of chicken collectors and slaughterers will be done gradually to minimize rejection from chicken vendors. But, if they still refuse, the space specially provided to them will eventually be given to others.
Meanwhile, at the chicken slaughtering facility owned by Yanto and Hadi, freshly killed chickens were carelessly left on the floor, causing the blood to flow to the small alley in front of their house. Feathered chickens were scalded in an iron barrel which water was never replaced even though it has processed hundreds of chickens. After chicken carcasses were de-feathered, it was again put on the floor, sometimes mixing with freshly killed chickens.
Edy said the condition of chicken slaughtering facilities in residential areas is below standard. Manure, feather, blood, and the odor of chickens have disturbed the health of thousands of people. Also the slaughtering and processing practice contaminates chicken carcasses with iron and E. coli. The use of bleach and formalin to preserve carcasses is also a common practice. (ECA)
Source : Kompas