Amid allegations of financial fraud at eFishery, employees are expressing concerns about their future job prospects. The recent scandal involving the manipulation of financial reports, which allegedly inflated revenue and transformed losses into profits, has raised alarm within the company.

Risyad, a representative of the Serikat Pekerja PT Multidaya Teknologi Nusantara (SPMTN) and an eFishery employee, shared that many workers are now worried about being blacklisted by other startups. Several employees have reported that job applications at other tech companies were abruptly halted, with no clear explanation. “Friends have reached the second or third round of interviews, only for everything to stop suddenly,” said Risyad in an interview with Katadata.co.id on January 24.

Since the fraud news broke, eFishery ordered a sudden halt of its operations, with ongoing projects suspended without clear communication. “We still don’t know how long this situation will last,” said Risyad.

The concerns are not unfounded, as multiple employees have experienced disruptions during their job search. “This is not paranoia, but something many of us are truly facing,” said Risyad. This uncertainty has affected morale, with many employees feeling less confident despite having a history of strong performance at eFishery.

To support their colleagues, some workers have taken the initiative to provide guidance on CV creation and job interview preparation. However, many employees are hesitant to leave, especially amid rumors that eFishery might be planning massive layoffs or a shutdown in February. While these rumors persist, employees believe that eFishery’s business is still performing well and that the company could focus on specific business lines rather than closing down.

“We believe eFishery can still be saved. What’s needed now is transparency and a solid strategy to keep the company running,” added Risyad.

Previously, employees of eFishery, through SPMTN, demanded a formal explanation from management regarding the fraud allegations and the potential layoffs. On January 23, they staged a protest at the company’s headquarters in Bandung, West Java, seeking clarification on several points: the status of ongoing operations, rumors about mass layoffs, and the company’s future plans.

“Some reports suggest that eFishery is planning massive layoffs and a company closure by February, possibly to avoid paying holiday bonuses,” said the SPMTN press release. The union has demanded that the company cancel its mass layoff plans and reconsider which business lines could be developed.

PHOTO: LIPUTAN6

This article was created with AI assistance.