As Bali’s tourism is roaming back into action after a long COVID-19 pandemic, there’s one not-so-good news. There is a short supply of workers on the island. Based on the numbers from the Central Bureau of Statistics, there were more than 1.4 million foreign tourists who visited Bali in 2020—between the month of January and October. This by far beats the number of arrivals the previous year which was only a dozen of them.
Building a Better Future: Bali’s Low-Paid Workers Take a Stand for Improved Conditions After COVID-19
Before the pandemic, Bali was heaven on earth not just for the tourists but also for the workers. In fact, 60 to 80 per cent of Bali’s economy comes from tourism and half of the island’s workers were in the industry. When COVID-19 hit the island badly, the majority of the workers lost their income. Bali was in a devastated state compared to other regions in Indonesia.
But now, the businesses are finding it hard to hire.
Many have left Bali to work elsewhere while others prefer to run their own small businesses. Hospitality is no longer their only option. There are many more opportunities out there. And in many other different locations too. Yet they are more than happy to return to work or back from wherever they are to the island if the employers are able to give them at least 50 per cent more than what they earned back in 2019.
