The following Migran Pos tries to summarize some of the traditions that are usually carried out before the month of Ramadan

Nyadaran / Nyekar: It is a common tradition in some areas of Java Island, where the living family visits the graves of deceased relatives, to clean the graves, pray and some throw flowers.

Muploadan: It is a tradition of the Sundanese Islamic community. The form of implementation varies, generally gathering with family and relatives, eating together, forgiving each other and praying together. In addition, there are also those who visit tourist attractions with their family, make pilgrimages to their parents or religious leaders.

Padusan: It is a tradition that is usually carried out by the people of Boyolali and some areas in Java to purify themselves, by bathing or soaking in the sea, or water sources that are considered sacred.

Nyorog : It is a tradition of the Betawi people and some other regions, this tradition is in the form of distributing gifts such as raw food, sugar, coffee, and the like to relatives. Sometimes the gift is in the form of cooked food, with some special foods and put in a basket.

Malamang: It is the ancestral tradition of the people of West Sumatra carried out by mothers, who in groups make lamang made of glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk, then cooked in a bamboo sleeve after previously being rolled with a banana leaf.

Pilgrimage Kubro: is a tradition that is usually carried out by the people of Palembang, making pilgrimages to the tombs of ancestors and scholars in Tengkurep Crater where the ancestors and scholars are buried.

Those are some traditions that are usually missed when approaching Ramadan. As Messiah, an Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) from Madiun, who has been working in Hong Kong since 2000, the things he miss the most are Nyekar and Nyorog.

The post The Tradition of Welcoming Ramadhan in Kampung Halaman first appeared on Postal Migrant.

Now for friends in Hong Kong who miss the delicious Indonesian food that is not easily forgotten, we can also get these foods with culinary tours on our holidays.

Here are some places for culinary Indonesian food in Hong Kong.

Tsuen wan’s Special Stall

“I have been a customer at this shop for seven years and my favorite is fish fried rice, the taste is great,” said one visitor.

For fried rice lovers, you can visit Warung Istimewa which is located at G/F Winning Heights 5 Fwah Street, Lo Tak Court, Tsuen Wan.

“Here, the Lombok food is famous for its fried rice,” said the shop owner who is usually called Om Istimewa.

In addition to the mainstay menu of Lombok fried rice, Warung Istimewa also provides yellow rice cone with white rice cone at affordable prices. Many Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) order at this stall for birthday celebrations and for Thanksgiving activities.

“It’s cheap for 1 person, HK$88, but we usually have 10 people, so we can joint venture with friends,” said Om Istimewa.

Warung Indonesia Berkah

This one restaurant provides a mainstay menu of pecel rice. For friends who want to treat their homesickness for food made from peanuts, they can come to Price Edward.

“I have subscribed for 1 year here and I like the pecel rice,” said Rida, PMI from Ponorogo who was with his two friends enjoying pecel rice.

Besides pecel rice, there are also foods that are very close to the characteristics of the Indonesian people, namely meatballs, soto, rawon and mixed rice. To satisfy the customers of this shop, they deliberately make their own meatball dough.

“I like the meatballs, it’s delicious and fits my taste,” said Lina, PMI from Ngawi.

The full address for Warung Berkah Indonesia is at 1/C Fa Yuen Tower, 216-218 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok.

According to the shop owner, PMI’s favorite food at his stall is chicken soup and rawon.

“The best-selling and most liked are chicken soup and rawon. Meatballs are number 2,” said the shop owner, who is usually called Koko.

A shop that has been established for 5 years and is liked by its visitors because of its mixed ice drink which has a fairly large portion.

“I like the mixed ice, the portion, shape and taste are the same as in Indonesia,” said Sinden, one of the shop’s visitors.

Kampoen g Restaurant A

paradise for lodeh vegetable lovers as well as a place to treat homesickness and the food most favored by Indonesians in Hong Kong is “Kampoeng” in the Causeway Bay area.

“I like mixed rice here with vegetables, the lodeh is really good,” said Mia, PMI from Malang.

“Kampoeng” restaurant is located at B/F Commercial Building Causeway Bay 1-5 Sugar Street Causeway Bay Hong Kong. This restaurant has a comfortable place and is very suitable for visitors who bring small children.

There is also oxtail soup, suitable for small children to eat with a deliciously flavored sauce.

“Usually I eat oxtail soup here, because I have to bring small children, so I can eat too,” said one customer who lives in Tuen Mun.

Ria’s Restaurant

Indonesian people definitely love chili sauce, to get a special chili sauce in Hong Kong, you can come to Ria’s restaurant which provides chili sauce made from green chilies. Usually green chili is combined with chicken or duck.

“Judging from the quality, the most preferred by the Indonesian people here is the green duck sauce,” said the shop owner Han.

In addition, iced tea is also a favorite drink for visitors and the mainstay of this restaurant.

“My favorite drink is iced tea,” said Han.

This restaurant that has been around for 5 years and maintains the quality of food, cleanliness and cleanliness of the place always looks crowded.

“I usually like rawon, it fits my tongue,” said Siti, one of the visitors.

Han added that until now, Indonesian specialties are less attractive to Hong Kong people. Han hopes that the Indonesian people who are currently working in Hong Kong will also introduce Indonesian food to their employers.

“For friends, try introducing Indonesian cuisine so they know more about our food,” said Han.

Savory Delicious Restaurant.

The name savory restaurant is no stranger to PMI, because this restaurant has been around for almost 15 years in Hong Kong.

“It has been established for 15 years,” said the owner of the restaurant.

Chicken penyet lovers can come to a delicious savory restaurant because according to the owner of the restaurant, Tans, chicken penyet is the mainstay of the restaurant he manages.

“The chicken penyet is much sought after by the people of Indonesia,” said Tans.

This restaurant is easy to find as it is located in the heart of Causeway Bay. Just take the MTR exit F or E, the restaurant is located at 21-23 Yee Wo St Causeway Bay.

The drinks served in this place also have Indonesian characteristics and are much favored by visitors, namely es cendol.

“Es Cendol is very popular with visitors, said Tans.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are many other Indonesian restaurants in Hong Kong, especially the Causeway Bay area. There are Pandan Leaf restaurants, Warung Malang and the recently opened Geprek Bensu which serves food made from chicken and of course there is a spicy chili sauce that is suitable for spicy lovers.

For those who like Padang specialties, there is a Padang restaurant located at G/F 177-178 King’s Road North Point.

Each restaurant has its own characteristics with prices between $100-$200. But for those whose names are longing cures, what is more important than the price is the enjoyment of the food.

Meanwhile, for those who miss Indonesian snacks and market snacks such as fried tempeh, stuffed tofu, lemper, bakwan vegetables, cakes, you can get them at Warung Chandra which is located near the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) Hong Kong building and several other market snacks. Usually these snacks and market snacks are served warm and easily available at the front or inside Indonesian stalls.

The post Traces of Missing Indonesian Culinary in Hong Kong first appeared on Postal Migrant.

When you look at the colorful stations, you might think the brightly colored tiled walls of the Hong Kong mass transit rail system are just to reflect that this city of Bauhinia is full of color and energy. But apparently that’s not the only reason, there is a secret behind the choice of contrasting colors for each station.

First, different and chosen colors have to do with balance. Being deep underground, there are no windows, everything will look completely dark and gloomy. While color is associated with beauty and brightness, and in the depths of the MTR station, the color chosen is expected to give each station its own form of sunshine and beauty.

Second, station color has a function to help distinguish stations from one another, and to give each station its own identity.

The main reason bright colors were adopted when the first line of the MTR opened in the 1970s was that color differentiation was considered useful for designers to give identity to stations, because underground which of course, unlike when traveling by bus or car above ground, they unable to see surrounding landmarks.

Third, the colors of the stations are differentiated to make them easier to find and remember by illiterate people. Historically, in the 1970s, the illiteracy rate in Hong Kong was still high because it was only in 1971 that Hong Kong launched a free compulsory education program. So most Hong Kong residents still can’t read the Chinese alphabet and letters.

Fourth, color is useful for marking more important stations. The MTR intentionally uses a distinct and striking red range like at Tsuen Wan, Mong Kok or Central stations. This is so that passengers know that they are at the interchange station or the last station.

While developing the color palette, MTR has also made sure not to use the same color in subsequent stations. For example, blue is used at Mei Foo station because it contrasts sharply with the red stations of Lai King and Lai Chi Kok.

Fifth, so that the station is easily recognizable. If you are not a Hong Kong resident and can’t read English or Chinese well, how can you identify the station? Yup! By marking and recognizing station colors!

Some of the station colors are also selected to match the Chinese name the station uses. For example, the rainbow colors at Choi Hung station are a vivid example of a literal translation from Cantonese, as “choi hung” means rainbow. Yellow is used at Wong Tai Sin station because the word “wong” means yellow. Lai Chi Kok Station is red because “lai chi” means lychee fruit. Prince Edward Station is purple because the color is usually associated with royalty or nobility in western culture.

In addition to the five things above, the MTR architects creatively used various color determination methods to translate station names. For example Diamond Hill Station is mostly black, but a beautifully crafted mosaic using some white bricks. The purpose of the design is to try to produce the same sparkling effect as a diamond or diamond from a different angle.

The meaning of the place and the environment around the station is also considered in the use of color. For example, Whampoa Station is blue because it is closer to the water area. Ho Man Tin Station is green because it is part of the hills that have trees.

Given that each station has a different coloration, you may wonder why the Airport Express Line is grayed out. It all has to do with Norman Foster, the architect who designed the airport, and the HSBC building in Central who doesn’t like the use of color. The renowned architect often refers to “Foster gray” which is his favorite color and is used for most of his designs.

So the MTR architects decided to take advantage of a different coloration during the airport’s expansion from Lantau to Hong Kong. That’s why Airport Express, Kowloon and Hong Kong stations are the same gray, so that those who are or are about to travel feel that they are close to the airport.

In its development, the Airport Express Line became cooler in its grayness due to the introduction of the artwork. The architects integrated the art in the station by bringing together color and functionality.

Take, for example, artist Gaylord Chan’s rocket art in the space between Hong Kong and Central stations. The work is about the movement of people, and people passing quickly, reflecting the transit area where the station is where the art is located.

It is said that all the artwork at the MTR station is curated because it’s not just about choosing a good picture, but also making sure that the artwork that is posted can resonate with passers-by.

As for the newer stations, the MTR began to integrate art and color in a much more sophisticated and contemporary way.

For stations in Ocean Park, for example, a different color blue is used because it represents an amusement park. There is also an art sculpture that resembles the movement of a school of fish. There is two symbolism in this: symbolizing the sea, and the creatures in Ocean Park, but also functional, because by following the movements of the fish, people will be able to find an exit or station platform.

So what about Post Migrants? Have you ever thought that the MTR is more than just a mode of transportation but also a functional art exhibition space that has meaningful colors that are all integrated in a cool way?

The post The Secret Behind the Different Colors of MTR Stations in Hong Kong first appeared on Postal Migrant.

 Labor and Employee Terms According to History

According to Asyhadie Zaeni in the book Employment Law: Employment Relations in the Field of Employment Relations (Jakarta: PT. Raja Grafindo Persada, 2007) and Lalu Husni in Introduction to Indonesian Manpower Law (Jakarta: Raja Grafindo, 2008), the term “labor” connotes manual labor and more use energy (muscles) rather than brains in their work, for example farm laborers, construction workers, carpenters, masons, and port loading and unloading workers. Meanwhile, workers or workers, and employees have the connotation of workers who are taller and use their brains more than muscles in doing work, even though in essence they are both workers.

In the feudal era and the Dutch colonial era, the term labor was intended for unskilled workers, such as coolies, craftsmen, and others or also called blue collars . Meanwhile, the term worker is intended for nobles and people who do delicate work, such as administrative employees who usually sit behind an office desk or are also known as white collars .

However, after Indonesia’s independence, the terms “soft labor” and “crude labor” were no longer known. All people who work in the private sector, whether working for individuals or institutions are equally called laborers.

In the development of labor law in Indonesia later, the term labor was attempted to be replaced with the term worker because the term laborer tends to refer to a group that is always suppressed and is under other parties, namely the employer or entrepreneur.

Labor and Employee Terms in Language

Linguistically, the right term or designation for people who work is “workers” with the basic word “work”. The meaning of ‘work’ according to the General Guidelines for Indonesian Spelling (PUEBI) is “something done to earn a living; livelihood; work”.

In Indonesia, the term for people who work for a living or livelihood in language there are also several kinds, namely 1) Labor (people who work for other people for wages; workers), 2) Workers (people who work; people who receive wages for wages ). the results of their work; laborers; employees), 3) Labor (people who work or do something; workers, employees; people who are able to do work, both inside and outside the employment relationship), 4) Employees (workers in the office; employees) and 5) Employees (people who work in an institution or office, company, and so on with a salary or wages; employee; worker).

It is clear from the explanation above, that the meaning of the five terms is essentially the same, namely they both refer to people who work (worker).

The Government of Indonesia replaces the designation of TKI to PMI

Initially legally formal, in Law no. 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower , the drafters of the law in Indonesia use two terms at the same time, namely labor and workers, using a slash: labor/worker. With the elaboration: Worker/labor is any person who works by receiving wages or other forms of remuneration. (Article 1, paragraph 3).

Based on the law, the government uses the term TKI for its citizens who become migrant workers abroad. Meanwhile, among migrant workers, especially in Hong Kong, as awareness grows about what labor is and its struggles, most of them often refer to themselves and their groups as Indonesian Migrant Workers (BMI).

However, since 2017, after previously the term TKI was changed to “expatriate” by the Minister of Manpower M Hanif Dhakiri, the Indonesian government has officially used a single term or designation for people working abroad, namely Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI).

According to the government, the change in the name of TKI to PMI is adjusted to Law Number 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers. By definition, PMI is every Indonesian citizen who will, is currently, or has done work by receiving wages outside the territory of the Republic of Indonesia .

The replacement of the term was also followed by the renaming of the institution from BNP2TKI (National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers) to BP2MI, (Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency) and Center for Service and Placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BP2TKI) to Implementer for the Placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P3MI).

Thus, the terms TKI, BMI, and TKW which have the same meaning as PMI should no longer be used or become a matter of debate. In my personal opinion as part of PMI, for the workers, whatever term or designation is used is no longer important than how to seek change and improve our welfare. Happy World Labor Day!

The post Which Name is Correct: TKI, BMI or PMI? first appeared on Postal Migrant.

PMI Hong Kong fashion show phenomenon

The phenomenon of fashion competition among migrant workers in Hong Kong is mushrooming. In fact, almost every week there is a fashion show competition , both held by organizations and individuals. The categories that are contested are even more diverse.

To jump into the world of fashion , not only have beautiful capital and master the catwalk . But we must also be prepared to bear the cost to beautify the appearance. The costs incurred are usually for make-up, renting clothes and accessories and registering the competition.

In the fashion show competition , there are several categories of competition. But generally there are two categories, namely the casual and glamorous categories. The costs incurred are different. For the casual category, the make-up and clothes used are simpler.

To take part in a casual style fashion show , the funds spent are around HK$ 300-HK$ 500. The expenses include make-up fees, competition registration fees and clothes rental. For this category, there are those who use personal collections of clothing. While the cost for casual makeup ranges from HK$ 100-HK$ 300.

“For the casual category, renting clothes costs around HK$500, sometimes wearing your own clothes, the cost is cheaper, around HK$300,” said Fanny Nabilla, PMI from Lampung, Friday (8/03/2019).

It’s different again for the glamor category competition. To participate in this type of competition will cost more. This is because the cost of making up and renting clothes are more expensive than the casual category. Not all contestants have a collection of glamorous clothes. Usually for one show will cost between HK $ 700-HK $ 1,500.

” If the kebaya from the designer is rented around HK$800, the cost of make-up and accessories is around HK$500,” said Kanjeng Ratu, PMI who lives in Wong Tai Sin, Thursday (7/03/2019).

The high cost of participating in a competition, we can conclude that to be able to look beautiful and perfect, we must have the courage to spend. So, what is the meaning of beauty? does it have to be expensive and luxurious to be beautiful?

Beautiful definition and size

There are several opinions about the notion of beauty, and the size of how a woman can be said to be beautiful.

Beauty is something relative. In fact we also agree that all women are physically beautiful. And only the beauty of the heart will truly distinguish one from another, reported by IDN Times (18/11/2017).

According to The Truth About Beauty , beauty is anything that is sexually attractive to men.

According to a survey conducted by Sindo News, from January 25, 2017 to February 9, 2017, through interviews in several major cities in Indonesia. The beautiful measure is; friendly and smiling, smart, white and clean skin, dimples, tall body, slim, long hair, exotic skin (dark color), long eyelashes, bright and shining eyes.

So it can be concluded, that a beautiful size does not have to be expensive and luxurious. Beauty depends on someone’s assessment of us. And every individual must have a beautiful side even though it looks simple.

Women must still look beautiful

A woman is required to always look beautiful. There are several reasons why women still have to look beautiful.

According to Deny, there is a relationship between beauty, health and cleanliness. That’s why women have to look beautiful.

“Beauty looks clean, clean is healthy, healthy is fresh, fresh is pleasing to the eye,” said Deny PMI who lives in Lok Fu, Thursday (28/03/2019).

All women generally want to look beautiful. The beauty of women also describes how we love ourselves

“It’s natural for a woman to want to look beautiful, if she does n’t want to look beautiful, it means she doesn’t care and does n’t love herself,” said Erica, PMI from Ponorogo, Thursday (28/03/2019).

Another opinion, that beauty is every woman’s dream.

“Because beauty is every woman’s dream, also the dream of men,” said Ayumi PMI, who has worked in Hong Kong for two years, Thursday (28/03/2019).

Fight beauty or self-confidence.

By participating in a fashion show competition , which costs a lot of money, can it make us beautiful, or is it just an event to prove our self-confidence?

According to Kesi, participating in a fashion show is an opportunity to prove one’s confidence so that she can appear and show her creations.

“I think the fashion show is a Confidence contest, because with confidence, I can master performance , and I also often display my own creations, said Kesi Hidayah, Winner of Miss Smartone 2017-2018, Friday (29/03). 2019).

The fashion show is a self-confidence competition, because if it is called a beauty contest, those who feel they are not beautiful will not register to take part in the competition.

“It’s a self-confidence competition, of course, because if you have a beauty contest who doesn’t feel pretty, you don’t want to register for the competition,” said Wardah Syakira, PMI who once held a fashion show competition , Friday (29/03/2019).

The twin studio believes that fashion shows are an opportunity to hone self-confidence, train mentally and also hone talents.

” Fashion competitions are actually to hone creativity and self-confidence, train mentally and hone talents,” said Sanggar Kembar, PMI who once held an art parade in Hong Kong, Friday (29/03/2019).

Fashion   show is an event to hone how much confidence. One of the places to show creativity, sharpen mentality and show ability in the field of catwalks . The beauty shown is something that must be done to support the perfection of an appearance on stage.

The post Beauty Is Expensive first appeared on Postal Migrant.