Last week, tragedy struck at the Ayuterra Resort on the beautiful Indonesian island of Bali. Five young workers who were responsible for maintaining the resort’s luxurious pool villas lost their lives when a hillside elevator they were in plunged into a ravine. Despite not being international tourists, these individuals played a vital role in catering to the needs of foreign guests. Sadly, their untimely deaths highlight the precarious conditions faced by Bali’s labor force, which relies heavily on tourism.
The Bali police are currently investigating the incident, particularly the cause of the cable snapping on September 1, leading to the fatal accident. The victims, aged between 19 and 24, were employees of Ayuterra Resort, a popular destination among tourists. They come from local villages and often attend vocational high schools specializing in hospitality training. Starting their careers at a young age, these workers earn meager wages of less than $10 a day.
Bali’s population exceeds four million people, and despite relatively higher wages compared to other parts of Indonesia, the island’s tourism industry is susceptible to external shocks. Events such as the 2002 Bali bombing, the 2017 eruption of Mount Agung, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have significant impacts. Additionally, the nature of these jobs poses risks to workers. Some have full-time contracts that include government employment insurance, providing pension benefits and a substantial payout in case of death on the job. However, others, like the unfortunate workers in the elevator accident, are day laborers or contractors without any social safety net.
According to Niluh Djelantik, an entrepreneur familiar with Bali’s resorts, some establishments hire long-term day laborers or contractors and pay them high salaries of $5,000 or $6,000 a month. These practices often go unnoticed due to perceived impunity. The Ayuterra Resort, located in Bali’s Ubud area, where the tragic incident occurred, has not provided any immediate comments. The resort boasts a breathtaking “back to nature” guest experience, offering glass-lined bedrooms and stunning views of the surrounding forest, mountains, and river. Currently, rates for a two-bedroom penthouse villa with a private pool in October are nearly $700 per night.
The ill-fated hillside elevator, resembling a jungle tram or funicular, suffered a catastrophic malfunction. The elevator featured a track spanning over 200 feet with an incline of approximately 40 degrees. Disturbing footage captured the elevator plummeting hundreds of feet, crashing through parts of the resort. Two workers lost their lives instantly, while the remaining victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Authorities have determined that the elevator’s steel rope was inadequate, and the safety brake failed to function properly. However, the investigation is ongoing, and the Bali police have refrained from providing further comments.
The victims, Sang Putu Bayu Adi Krisna, Kadek Yanti Pradewi, Ni Luh Superningsih, I Wayan Aries Setiawan, and Kadek Hardiyanti, all young individuals mostly from Ubud and nearby areas, tragically lost their lives. One of them had been employed for only two months. After the incident, villagers, primarily adherents of Hinduism, conducted ceremonies to purify the site and release the spirits of the deceased. Friends of the victims also initiated fundraising efforts to support the cremation ceremonies.
Although the families of the victims received compensation, some may consider the amounts substantial. However, as emphasized by Ms. Niluh, no amount of money can replace a lost life.
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