WISH YOU WERE HERE
Fanny Kusumawardhani (Freelance Photojournalist, Jakarta)
It was not just another afternoon. There was mounting anxiety while waiting for the news that would determine my status after today. I held on tight to my smartphone. I kept checking my email inbox every few minutes. Right after noon, I heard a ping on my phone. The bad news finally arrives. I have officially been laid off.
The rising rate of Covid-19 infection in Indonesia has been a hard hit to the country’s economy. Many businesses have resorted to employee reduction to minimize losses. Layoff becomes reality for workers in various sectors.
The Indonesian Ministry of Labor, as quoted by online portal kontan.com, declared that between March to July 2020 there had been at least 2,1 million workers from both formal and informal sectors affected by the pandemic.
Being one of the 2,1 million workers is really not easy. Anxiety, disappointment and sadness strike me all at once, reminding me that I am all alone in Jakarta, far from most family members. My uncle’s house, where I stay in, is the witness to all emotions.
I miss my family even more than usual. But I feel their presence through continuous prayers. Being laid off has made me realize the importance of a strong support system to keep my hopes up.