The rumble in the jungle

Less than professional entrepreneurs are succeeding. Corruption is an issue. Exploited workers. Attractive prices are easy to find. Often below cost. When something goes wrong, you struggle to find them.

Serious Security Companies (several in Jakarta) are on the Main Street. They do have an office for administration, recruiting, logistics and maybe staff training. Go there. Find out!

International affiliation? Remember: Service doesn't travel very well or fast. You will have to depend on the organization on the ground, right here in Jakarta, Indonesia. Also: A local company does not have to send dollars to overseas parents. SUPPORT A LOCAL SECURITY COMPANY!

The annual Minimum Wage fluctuates dramatically!

A worker employed in July 1999 in Jakarta, Indonesia has enjoyed a 439 percent wage hike to date - if employed by a company complying with the Wage regulations. A tragic result of the wild wage policy is that it is largely ignored.

Many contractors couldn't carry the hikes with their own resources. Many buyers of service wouldn't renegotiate the deal they already had, so many workers just have to accept whatever they get.

To "The Formal Sector" the effect is felt. We must comply with the regulations. ARLA operates within the Formal Sector but competes mostly with service providers from the "Shadow Economy". ARLA's security guards have been legally compensated all the way.