Meet the Balinese in Louisiana, USA: “I didn’t expect to go abroad, I was comfortable.”
"What brought you all the way to the USA?"
Most obvious reason that I'm here is - salary, which means I can support my family, finance my sister's education, build a house in the future and run my own business. I graduated from a college of tourism but didn't expect to go abroad. I was comfortable. But after Covid it was really hard to find a job, so a friend recommended to find a job outside the country.
"Salary: Louisiana vs Bali"
Today as a waiter, I get stable IDR 20mil monthly salary, extra tips on top, insurance, private room accommodation and two meals are provided by the employer. My workplace is just 2 minutes away by walk. Compare all that to fluctuating IDR 3-5mil monthly salary with no meals, no housing, no BPJS and long commuting time before and after the shifts.
Gentrification in Bali is also very serious today.
"Will you ever come back?"
I have a plan to go back but not now. The thing is, I've got a work permit for 5 years but it doesn't allow to exit and re-enter the country easily. I miss my family and Balinese have very strong traditional bonds. Despite living far we still miss home and longing to come back eventually.
"What is it like for those who come back?"
Well, actually most of my friends who went back are unemployed. [laughing] Mostly because when HR knows
about our overseas experience they automatically assume that we are looking for a temporary job to eventually go back abroad again. They don't want to waste time on candidates like that, it's understandable. But I think I could find a job and adapt again if I wanted to.
"What about work culture?"
During my J1 training in Atlanta, I noticed that people are a bit informal with managers here. Greetings by first name. No "gap" between staff and managers, yet we are still professional. Communication is more straightforward. Briefing takes just 5 minutes. But in Bali it's... taking 1 hour! Like... why you speak so long?! [laughing]
Another point is... one guest had a complaint at the restaurant, the guest was the problem, and the manager solved it directly without blaming staff. In Bali it's the opposite: the manager questions you first, maybe scolds you or blames you and gives you a whole lecture afterwards. But we still smile. [smiles in Balinese]
"How do you think the low salary situation in Bali can be improved?"
That's a very difficult question. To be honest, we can't complain about the salary they give us.
Little salary is better than no salary and both parties know that.
Running a business is also not easy. You can't pay waiters IDR 10mil and survive in the market. I heard the government is trying to make minimum salary IDR 5mil but I'm not sure how realistic that is. The only solution is to just accept whatever they pay and then just find a better job later.
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