Cries Of Event Organizer Industry Players Falling Down Due To COVID-19

An illustration of the deserted city of Jakarta due to COVID-19. (Angga Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - The corona virus pandemic or COVID-19 in Indonesia is increasingly spreading. The number of positive patients with the virus continues to grow, and as a result the impact is getting bigger.

Not only in the health sector, but also on the economic sector. The money circulation sector suddenly stagnated due to the limitations of human movement.

Usually, before the month of Ramadan, Jakarta looks lively because of the many events and activities that are packaged by the event organizer (EO). But at this time, it is not possible for these industry players to work on any events in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry event organizers (EOs) who are members of the Indonesian Bakcstagers community admit that they are on the verge of bankruptcy. The COVID-19 pandemic not only has an impact on reducing turnover, but also inevitable layoffs.

The founder of Bakcstagers Indonesia, Krisnanto Soetrisman, said that the event organizer industry was only able to survive for a short period of time. Because of this, this community sent an open letter to those who sat in the government.

This open letter is a joint statement of event workers and actors, companies, individuals, event organizer business owners, event freelancers, event production vendors, stage art workers, artist associations, freelance artists, stage performers, and event venue providers, and licensing administrators.

"Today we are tired. We are not tired of working, we are tired of accepting the uncertainty of actions taken for us. We are also not silent, we have done a lot, we have done a lot of social programs. Where is the government? What is being prepared for As for what we have to endure, what formula do you prepare, "he said, through a written statement received by VOI, in Jakarta, Monday, April 13.

Krisnanto also questioned the ministry that specifically oversees the field of tourism, MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition) and events. His party questioned what programs were prepared to save event organizer industry players as the frontline of tourism in order to survive in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our work has stopped, our income has stopped, our supplies are low, massive layoffs threaten us, our bullets and ammunition are gone. We are off in a moment," he said.

"What channels are prepared to listen to our aspirations, what are concrete plans for us to at least survive, although not as big as our habits. What are your plans now and for the next time ?," he continued.

According to Krisnanto, event organizer industry players have also conveyed several programs they have as a way out to help the industry. However, until now the government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) has not implemented any policies to help.

Furthermore, Krisnanto said the program in question was to empower event workers to continue to work from home (WFH) and also work independently with the concept of physical distancing, including online learning programs, free mask activities that we are able to move throughout Indonesia with network that it owns.

Physical distancing illustration. (Ilham Amin / VOI)

"Our voice is part of the voice of the people for you. We speak here to be heard, embraced and invited to discuss, representatives of each region from various communities are ready to discuss something concrete, so that it can become a special mitigation program in the event industry. If so, where? which? where? when? what ?, "he said.

Krisnanto said that the government assistance that has been carried out for the tourism sector does not include the event organizer industry. Therefore, his party wants the voices of event organizer industry players to be heard.

"That is what we need to say at this time, and this is for you to hear. Aren't we also at the forefront of contributing foreign exchange to this country. We don't want to beg, we want to be able to work and have an income," he said.

In fact, Krisnanto said, in 2019 the EO industry has a high growth potential of around 15 percent to 20 percent with an industry value of more than IDR 500 trillion. Currently there are around 4,000 business actors with a formal workforce absorption of around 40,000 people.

Backstagers Indonesia is an association of 240 EO entrepreneurs. This association was formed five years ago.