Good News For Meatball Makers, Beef Sellers Cancel Sales Strike Today

The Indonesian Meat Slaughter and Traders Network (JAPPDI), called off the strike. (photo: doc. between)

JAKARTA - Meat traders who are members of the Indonesian Meat Slaughter and Trader Network (Jappdi) said they had canceled their plan to go on strike. This is because the government's demands have been met and the community has agreed on the price the traders sell.

Previously, cattle traders would conduct a strike to sell. It is planned that the strike action will be carried out next week starting today, February 28 to March 4, 2022. The action is motivated by the high price of upstream cattle. The General Chairperson of Jappdi Asnawi said that the cattle slaughterers and traders under his organization did not participate in the strike action. This means that they will continue to carry out cutting and trading activities as usual.

"Jappdi decided not to go on strike. Because of the level of success that has been achieved. So why are we on strike," he said, when contacted by VOI, quoted Monday, February 28.

Asnawi said there were a number of reasons why Jappdi decided to cancel the strike. One of them is because the increase in beef prices has been accepted by the community.

"The price of beef was initially Rp. 120 thousand, because expensive cattle were sold for Rp. 130 thousand, consumers did not want to buy. But after media mediation, now they sell Rp. 140 thousand, selling Rp. 150 thousand, consumers want to buy. So the burden is no longer traders. demands for strike action)," he said.

According to Asnawi, people don't want to buy beef because they don't know that beef prices are going up. However, after knowing the increase occurred from upstream to downstream, people are now willing to buy meat at the latest prices.

Furthermore, Asnawi said that Jappdi had never circulated a letter asking for a strike to sell. Asnawi also appealed to all beef administrators and traders under Jappdi to continue slaughtering and selling as usual through an official circular numbered 020/DPP-JAPDDI/II/2022 dated 26 February.

"If there are parties who do not carry out their usual slaughtering and meat trading activities, especially in Jabodetabek, they are not our members (Jappdi)," the circular reads.

The government has heard the demands

Another reason Jappdi did not participate in the strike, said Asnawi, was because President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had heard of the plan for a sales strike. Thus, the security of meat supply is immediately followed up.

"The strike action plan has been in existence since Wednesday (February 23), the news has reached the Palace. Automatically the President knows and acts to remain silent," he said.

Asnawi said after the demands were met, Jappdi made sure to cancel the strike. "In conclusion, what has been asked for has been accommodated, the government has implemented it, the price is good, what else is there for a holiday (strike)?" he said.

According to Asnawi, holding a strike when the demands have been met will disrupt the supply of fresh meat in the market. As a result, it is difficult for household consumers to traders who sell raw materials for fresh meat to get supplies.

"Supplies will be disrupted. Traders who need fresh meat such as meatballs, household consumers find it difficult to get supplies. If we sell everything, everything will be resolved," he said.