Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra, Jakarta – Tempeh producers in the Depok region that are joined under the Paguyuban Dadi Rukun Tempe association announced a strike and will stop production due to the skyrocketing prices of imported soybeans that makes it even more challenging for them to earn a profit.

Head of the association, Rasjani, on Monday said current prices of soybean has reached Rp1.1 million per quintal (or 100 kilograms), which is a significant increase from its usual price of Rp800 thousand per quintal.

"If it remains high like this, we will not be able to make a turnover, which is why we are better off to go on strike," said Rasjani to journalists in Depok, February 21.

Apart from going on strike for three days, Rasjani said tempeh and tofu factory workers will empty their factory from production tools as a protest against the government deemed unable to control the stability of soybean prices.

"As of today, our tofu and tempeh producer compatriots across the Depok and Greater Jakarta area are on strike," Rasjani asserted. The protest, he said, will last until the government attempts to lower the prices of soybean.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1563092/tempeh-tofu-producers-go-on-strike-over-soybean-price