Bandung City Government Hopes Tempe Tofu Craftsmen Continue to Produce

With this condition, the Head of the Bandung City Department of Trade and Industry (Disdagin), Elly Wasliah ensured that the soybean stock in the city of Bandung was safe and under control. Thus, the tofu and tempeh craftsmen do not need to strike production.

"All members of the tofu and tempeh craftsmen who enter the Indonesian Tempe and Tofu Producers Cooperative (Kopti) in Bandung, totaling 576 people, have received a soybean price subsidy of Rp. 1,000 per kg, starting from April," said Elly at Bandung City Hall, Friday. October 28, 2022.

"Bulog was appointed by the central government as the distributor for the subsidy. This October is already the fifth stage," he continued.

The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) through the Disdagin has discussed with the Bandung Branch of Bulog and the Bandung City Cooperative management during the first strike which did not take place.

"As a result of the agreement, the Bandung City Cooperative will not go on strike. This time, the Head of the Bandung City Copti has issued an official letter to us stating that they will not join the production strike," he said.

According to him, it is very unfortunate if the tofu and tempeh craftsmen go on strike. In fact, the central government has provided subsidies for soybeans without limiting the amount.

"Whatever the soybean needs of the tofu and tempeh craftsmen in Bandung will continue to be met. Usually we need 3,000 tons of soybeans per month. If it's more, it doesn't matter," he said.

This condition, said Elly, is not only experienced by tofu and tempeh craftsmen in Bandung, but also throughout the world. Especially for countries where the majority of soybean needs come from imports.

"This is not a problem in Indonesia only, but also worldwide. Because we import soybeans from Canada and the United States. Logistics costs, soybean prices, the process is also a factor in rising prices," he said.

Thus, Elly appealed to the tofu and tempeh craftsmen in Bandung to continue producing as usual without worrying about the stock of soybeans. Because, if all the craftsmen go on a production strike, many parties will be affected.

"If there is a production strike, I'm worried that it will affect other culinary products. Moreover, Bandung is a culinary city. Many snacks whose ingredients are made from tofu, such as batagor, kupat tofu, gehu, and souvenir centers in Kosambi such as tempeh snacks, will have an impact." too," he said.

He said that if the tofu and tempeh craftsmen had problems, the Bandung City Government was very open to accepting their aspirations.

"Please tell the government if there are problems, we will solve them together, so there is no need for a production strike," he said. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Technology

Yayan A. Brilyana