Reflections on the Human Condition - Api-fellowships.org

RESULTS
The Indonesia Railway
The workers
The Indonesia Railway is divided into three classes
– economy, business, and executive. The train type
of economy and business classes are operated by two
persons; one is the driver and another is the assistant of
the driver. Meanwhile, the executive class is operated by
two drivers. In Depo Jatinegara where I took the data,
there are a total number of 70 drivers and 50 assistant
drivers. To become train drivers, the candidates should
undertake education and training for train drivers in
Yogyakarta City for 3.5 months. Then, they are required
to study in their Depo for a year. After graduating, they
cannot be drivers directly but have to be assistant drivers
first for minimum of one year.
Figure 1: The percentages of complains among the
workers.
12%
7%
69%
12%
Train drivers are required to undergo a medical check
before they begin to work to assure their condition is
ready to work. From the questionnaire, the drivers were
older than the assistants. They were in their productive
age of 27–52 years old and had been working for at
least three years until more than 10 years. Most of the
workers complained about stiffness, pain and rigid on
their legs; especially on the calf, neck, and low back.
pain
sti�ness
cramping
others
THE STATE, DEVELOPMENT AND GLOBALIZATION
Figure 2: the part of body which suffer among the
workers.
64.8%
6.6 %
28.6 %
Picture 1: Condition of the driver’s cab.
255
The symptoms primarily appear after work and when
they wake up in the morning. However, they consider
it alright since the symptoms usually disappear after
they take some rest. Some respondents overcome the
symptoms by drinking medicinal herbs and taking
traditional massage. These signs usually occur because
of sitting postures and for push the pedal for a long
time.
The workers suggested to the management to fix the
condition of driver cabs for more safety, comfort, and
security. To illustrate, the condition of windows, wipers,
and doors are broken and do not work appropriately.
The seats are also not in good condition—the width is
too narrow.
Working Postures
Ref lections on the Human Condition: Change, Conflict and Modernity
The Work of the 2004/2005 API Fellows