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Helping Bali Get Back to Business

The lives of many people, both in Bali and other parts of Indonesia, remain seriously affected by the Bali bombings - not least economically. Businesses that depend on tourism are closing their doors. The Bali Rehabilitation Fund, part of Australia's support for the recovery effort, has been set up to help the Balinese people get back on their feet.

Ibu Wayan shakes her head as she closes up shop for the night. It's been yet another frustrating day. Without the usual bustle of people passing by it's hard to attract customers to her salon for a traditional Balinese massage.

With downcast eyes, but with typical Balinese good humour, she admits that it is unlikely that she can keep her business going. The three staff she had working for her before 12 October 2002 have been retrenched. Ibu Wayan's husband, a fishmonger, is also out of work. He has had to sell both the family motorbike and the television to meet the rent on the salon.

This story is common in the once popular tourist destination. As a direct result of the bombings, people who relied on a thriving tourist trade can now only watch as their livelihoods disappear. Employers, like Ibu Wayan, are forced either to put a freeze on new appointments, retrench employees or reduce salaries and shifts. Some literally have to close their businesses. The economic strain for everyone has meant that there has been an increase in borrowing in Bali to cover day-to-day living expenses.

There has also been an increase in the use of savings and liquidation of disposable assets. Retrenched employees are returning to their villages, although prospects of employment are slim and social tensions are on the rise.

With the downturn in tourism in Bali it is feared that poverty will increase. To help avoid this, the Australian Government's aid program has set up the Bali Rehabilitation Fund. The purpose of the fund is to give short to medium-term assistance to those affected directly and indirectly by the bombings. The fund began operation in March 2003. It's administered through the Australian Community

Development and Civil Society Strengthening Scheme (ACCESS), currently based in Bali.

Written by Nina Fitzsimons, Project Manager ACCESS. Original article appeared in FOCUS magazine, Autumn 2003.

For further information on the Bali Rehabilitation Fund, contact access- ind@indo.net.id

This page was last updated on 12 July 2006

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