Entrepreneurs Sell Hundreds of Million Bird Collections for Employee Salaries

Bandung, CNN Indonesia –

The economic crush in the midst of a pandemic is felt by almost all circles. No exception, businessman. In Lembang, West Bandung Regency, West Java, the manager Graphic Cikole Tourist Terminal forced to sell its assets, including bird, to cover operational costs and pay employee salary.

You see, operational costs and salaries of permanent employees must be paid in the midst of the closure of tourist attractions due to PPKM. Although, the manager of the Graphic Cikole Tourism Terminal has laid off most of the employees.

“Actually, we want to save the company’s operations to cover employee salaries, so like it or not, one of them is selling a collection of macaws,” explained the General Manager of the Graphic Cikole Tourism Terminal, Sapto Wahyudi when contacted CNNIndonesia.com, Wednesday (28/7).

He said there were six macaws that had to be sold. The bird with the crooked beak sells for IDR 30 million for the medium size and IDR 100 million for the large size.

The proceeds from the sale of the macaws are then used to cover the company’s operations, including employee salaries. “In essence, it can cover one month’s salary,” he added.

Sapto continued that the PPKM which has now been extended has prevented the company from pocketing any income because the tourist attraction was closed. This condition affects the manager’s finances.

“There are no visits at all. We only hope from the room because the status of the room is still open, even though it doesn’t meet our expectations,” he said.

He admitted that he had offered massive promotions to visitors, however, the occupancy was still far from the target.

“It’s been a long time promo room, we discount up to 30-40 percent of the room. With a record filled 25-35 percent (occupancy), but not achieved,” he said.

Prior to PPKM on July 3, the Graphic Cikole Tourism Terminal employed a total of 105 employees. Consists of, 30-40 current employees weekday and 80 current employees weekend.

“Now (when PPKM) only 5 percent enter. At best if someone stays, 10 percent (employees) of a total of 105 employees,” explained Sapto.

According to the manager’s calculations, the total loss since the beginning of the pandemic has reached IDR 2 billion to date.