A job advertisement posted on Facebook has triggered a wave of criticism from Bali’s traditional community. The job listing, which sought an IT Coordinator, specified that only non-Hindus were eligible to apply.
The vacancy appeared in the “Prof-IT Bali” Facebook group, under the name of LB Resort (PT. Loyo Bondar Management)—a local villa and hotel management company. The company advertised two positions:
• IT Coordinator (non-Hindu requirement)
• IT Monitoring Team Member (preferred English proficiency)
LB Resorts, managed by Bondar Loyo Management, oversees multiple villa and apartment complexes under the Loyo & Bondar group. The company is currently developing several villa projects in Bali, aiming to launch 100 villas by the end of 2025.
As soon as the job posting went live, it faced a storm of criticism online, with many condemning LB Resorts for religious discrimination against the majority-Hindu population of Bali.
Arya Sumerassa, the administrator of the website where the listing was shared, quickly issued a public apology on social media, stating that he never intended to offend Hindus and deeply regretted the situation.
Meanwhile, Cokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Cok Ace), former Deputy Governor of Bali and Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali, also joined in the criticism. He slammed the company’s actions as “unethical and discriminatory.”
Furious over the posting, Cok Ace declared that businesses enforcing such hiring restrictions should not operate in Bali. He emphasized that Balinese people are working hard to preserve their culture, yet a tourism-related company is refusing to hire Hindus.
“I have hired hundreds, maybe thousands of Hindus, and it has never been an issue. It should not be a barrier if an employee follows Hinduism,” he stated.
He further highlighted that Bali’s hotels and restaurants thrive primarily because of the island’s unique culture. Many businesses proudly display billboards with slogans such as “Bali – The Island of Heaven” and “Bali – The Island of the Gods.” Yet, at the same time, some employers resent their staff for observing religious ceremonies.
“You cannot use our culture just to promote your business and then disregard it when it becomes inconvenient,” Cok Ace concluded.
Sources: bali.tribunnews.com
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