Hundreds of business owners and workers from the leisure sector came out to protest in front of Jakarta City Hall today, calling on Governor Anies Baswedan to allow them to resume operations following months of temporary closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic that have severely impacted their trade and livelihoods.
The protesters included massage therapists, karaoke employees, and nightlife workers, who are part of the Jakarta Entertainment Entrepreneurs Association (Asphija).
They protested the policy under the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) protocol, which saw their workplaces close down during the period. As reported by several local outlets, protesters brought posters and banners with slogans such as “We’re hungry, Pak Anies doesn’t care about us!” with several orators voicing out their aspirations from the top of a command car.
Asphija chairwoman Hana Suryani urged Anies to allow the leisure sector to resume their operations, adding that talks between the Jakarta Provincial Government and her organization have yet to result in a satisfactory outcome, while the situation has only grown more dire for the industry.
“The entertainment industry has complained that they’re starving. Businesses have already lost money and gone out of business. Many business owners are unable to pay rent for their buildings and spaces so that they have to close their businesses,” Hana said.
She estimated that the losses due to the closures in more than three months could reach around IDR1-2 trillion, with IDR500 million of estimated daily loss. Many businesses have not been able to pay their employees, resulting in thousands of unemployment.
“Entertainment venues are always cornered with negative accusations about the violations we never made, as our businesses are not yet open.”
Hana said yesterday that she expected more than one thousand to participate in the protest, as many other workers who are not members of Asphija said they intended to join the protest today.
Jakarta is actually easing restrictions on public activities as it transitions away from PSBB — a policy that will be evaluated on July 30. During this time, the reopening of some public places including cinemas and other indoor venues, will be delayed until at least next month.
During this transitional PSBB phase, the Jakarta Provincial Government has raided 53 leisure and nightlife venues with 28 locations ordered to close, 17 others fined, and the remaining eight venues given written warnings.
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