Becak, a three wheeled and non-motorized vehicle, is an interesting phenomenon in Yogyakarta, a city with many predicates one of which is `city of tourism'. It is interesting because on one hand, becak was proclaimed as one of Jogja's special attraction; while on the other hand, local authority's concern on becak is insufficient indicated by lack of regulation and less attention to becak drivers. As a result, working as becak driver is no more than a choice left for marginalized group of people to stay alive. While local government seems to put less concern, started in the year 1997, an NGO namely CD Bethesda came to help becak drivers by strengthening their assets to reduce their vulnerability, through the establishment of two becak drivers associations: Parti Warjo and Bawang Manunggal. This research used a combination between a deductive quantitative and deductive qualitative method. Fieldwork findings and data analysis confirmed the initial presumption that becak drivers are categorized as vulnerable group, indicated by poor human capital (low educational background, poor skill, limited access to healthcare service as well as absence of healthcare insurance and subsidy), poor financial capital (low income, absence of saving, and limited access to credit). Otherindications that support the finding is that most becak drivers have poor physical capital (absence of physical tool such as becak to generate income, relatively improper shelter to stay in, and limited access to water and sanitation) and poor social capital (limited network and less contact and mutual agreements amongst becak drivers). The data analysis of this research also concluded that assistance programs conducted by CD Bethesda for Parti Warjo and Bawang Manunggal becak drivers associations are relatively effective to make their members less vulnerable based on the following reasons: (a) a match between what is given by the NGO and what is needed by the becak drivers. This is possible because members are invited to get involved from the initial process to implementation of the programs; (b) a fact that in some extent, the programs succeeded in bringing their members towards less vulnerability. Another conclusion is that local government put less concerns to becak and becak drivers, indicated by the absence of law that regulates becak or regulation that stands at becak's side. It happens even at basic level, such as the absence of data about how many becak and becak drivers operate in Jogja, which in turn makes it difficult to manage becak and becak driver in Jogja. From CD Bethesda point of view, factors needed to conduct assistance programs effectively are relatively supportive, indicated by for example availability of sustainable funding, ability of the NGO to identify clients' needs, and presence of support from its higher level. Within the two associations, this research found dynamic interactions between one member and another, as well as between members and the boards. Members' commitment to develop organizations needs continuous effort for encouragement. On the other side, leaderships at the board level have not satisfied nearly half of the members. For solidarity and members' participation issue, members of the two associations confirmed the presence of a good solidarity amongst them, and relatively high participation in the organizations in both regular meetings and activities. Instead of a burden, becak should be considered as an asset and characteristic that makes Jogja unique and distinctive, which in turn makes it an attraction for tourists. Inevitably, a regulation on how to give subsidy for becak and becak drivers is needed. This policy should be implemented along with strategy on how to administer and control the number of becak and becak drivers to avoid becak overpopulation in Jogja.

Eerd, M. van, Setiawan, B.
hdl.handle.net/2105/12114
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies

Heriyadi, I. (2007, September). Assisting the vulnerable: from vulnerability towards security. A case study on assistance activities conducted by CD Bethesda for becak drivers in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2105/12114