Masseuses says they're unbothered by padlocked pants

Wahyoe Boediwardana , The Jakarta Post , Malang | Sat, 04/12/2008 11:17 AM | Headlines

A 28-year-old masseuse in East Java says she doesn't feel harrassed having her pants "locked" while on duty, as the practice increases her safety and helps her avoid social sanctions.

Nanik, who has been working at the Tri Buana traditional massage parlor in Karangploso, Malang, for the past four years, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday she had no qualms about wearing a small magnetic padlock on her pants as part of her working uniform.

"I don't care about the media's (recent criticism of the practice). The most important thing is that my friends and I can work in a safe and comfortable environment," the mother of a 10-year-old said.

Nanik is one of 16 masseuses working at the parlor operated by Yayuk Vietta, 37.

Yayuk said any masseuse who wanted to work there had to be willing to wear the padlock on her pants.

The parlor's cashier is assigned to affix the padlock on masseuses, who must then must go through a second employee whose task it is to inspect whether or not the padlock has been properly secured.

"Those who are found to have carried out things other than a massage, especially forcefully opening the padlock, will be immediately fired then and there without exception," said Nanik, who was also a supervisor for other masseuses.

The Batu administration in East Java recently issued a policy obliging masseuses to wear locks on their pants in a move to minimize prostitution in area massage parlors.

The news sparked criticism from the media and State Minister of Women's Empowerment Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono, who branded the practice an insult and a form of harassment against women.

Nanik said she felt differently.

"I don't feel insulted, harassed or like my civil rights have been taken away, but the other way around. I feel safe working here because I can avoid these things," Nanik told the Post.

Local authorities have turned a blind eye to the old practice, which was common during the royal era in the 19th century, allowing prostitution to flourish at massage parlors in the regency.

The Tri Buana parlor, which charges from Rp 40,000 (approximately US$4.50) to Rp 50,000 per hour, has put up a sign on a wall reading, "Prayer, Work, Family and Community".

Despite the efforts to prevent prostitution, there are still men who proposition the masseuses, employees said.

"We have to be clever to change the subject, such as by trading jokes or engaging in a conversation on other topics," said another masseuse Anggie.

Yayuk said they adopted the practice of their own initiative to curb prostitution.

"This is purely of our own initiative and mutual agreement and not from the local or provincial administrations. This also serves as a notice that what we do here is truly massage and nothing more," said Yayuk.

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