PPE Not Provided, Klungkung TPS3R Workers Buy Their Own Masks and Gloves

Waste processing workers at the TPS3R Negari Asri facility in Negari Village, Banjarangkan District, Klungkung, Bali, are urging the government to pay attention to the completeness of their personal protective equipment (PPE) while working. So far, the masks and gloves they use at work have been obtained independently. “We buy our own masks and gloves. This mask of mine has been washed many times,” said Made Suparniati (45), a waste processing worker at TPS3R Negari Asri, on Tuesday (23/6/2026). PPE for waste processing workers is very important. Suparniati said she has already conveyed this need, but to date it has not been fulfilled. “We really hope that the need for masks and gloves can be assisted. We have already conveyed it and they said there will indeed be procurement for that,” she explained. A similar sentiment was shared by Suparniati’s colleague, Wayan Rimanta (56). They previously went on strike because their salaries were not paid without clarity for two months. In addition to a monthly salary of Rp 1.5 million, he hopes that PPE, which is a basic necessity, can be given attention by the government. “The only PPE is boots. As for gloves, they get damaged like this. We take them home to wash so they can be used again,” he said. Besides Suparniati and Rimanta, other workers Ni Wayan Sande (40) and Nyoman Suarjana (50) also expressed the same demands. There are seven waste processing workers at TPS3R Negari Asri. Suarjana explained that there used to be eight, but one resigned after salaries were halted. In addition to PPE, they also revealed that their wages are far from sufficient for daily needs. This is why, despite working from 7 am to 2 pm, they must take on side jobs to keep their kitchens running. “The pay here is calculated at Rp 50,000 per day. That is why, besides working here, some of us work as motorbike taxi drivers, farmers, and some sell goods. If we don’t, it’s not enough,” Suarjana explained. Nevertheless, they admitted they enjoy working there. Besides being close to their homes, the job also helps keep the environment clean. Negari Village Head I Gusti Ngurah Bagus Mahendra explained that he has planned for all the needs of the workers at TPS3R Negari Asri. He stated that the budget for waste management was previously taken from village funds. However, due to efficiency measures in 2026, the budget was exhausted for other important programmes such as stunting prevention, integrated health posts, food security, extreme poverty, and others. “So for the TPS3R, it was zero. But thankfully, we received special financial assistance (BKK) from the Klungkung Regency Government amounting to Rp 200 million. These funds can be used to meet salary needs until December, facilities such as a three-wheeled vehicle, and other needs like PPE,” Mahendra explained. He also stressed that any needs of the workers should be communicated so they can be allocated in the spending plan, rather than being requested suddenly.