Operational Optimization, Bukalapak lays off its employees

PT Bukalapak.com Tbk (IDX: BUKA) has carried out a wave of layoffs (PHK) for its employees since the end of July 2023. The first time it was reported by Tech in Asia, Bukalapak cut their employees from the customer service division, Mitra Bukalapak, to engineering.

This is the second wave, after previously the company also made efficiency (about 100) the number of employees in 2019.

Contacted DailySocial.id, Bukalapak representatives refused to provide details regarding the reasons for the layoffs and the number of employees affected. His party stated that the company is currently conducting operational optimization and continues to evaluate its performance.

Senior Vice President of Talent Bukalapak Suryo Sasono revealed that this evaluation was followed up in the form of change plans in various areas, including aspects of product, technology, process and resource requirements. 

"Bukalapak is constantly evaluating our performance so that we can better meet the needs of our users and optimize our operational matters. In practice, all changes have their own challenges, but we believe this is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of our business." " wrote Suryo, Wednesday (9/8).

Based on financial reports in the first semester of 2023, Bukalapak experienced a net loss of IDR 389,27 billion, down from the achievement net profit valued at IDR 8,59 trillion in the same period last year. Meanwhile, revenue rose 28,9% to IDR 2,18 trillion compared to the first half of 2022.

In his recent official statement, Bukalapak President Teddy Oetomo revealed that, "we are very satisfied with this performance result because we were able to maintain strong revenue growth and increase towards profitability in all our segments, while maintaining a strong financial condition. Therefore, we remain confident in sticking to our projections in achieving profit at the end of the year on a basis adjusted EBITDA."

Until semester I 2023, DailySocial.id noted that more than ten technology companies in Indonesia have streamlined their organizations through layoffs. The largest number of layoffs were taken by two companies e-commerce, namely GoTo with 600 employees and Shopee Indonesia with 500 employees.  

The layoff decision was taken in order to boost business efficiency and pursue solid profitability amidst an uncertain macroeconomic situation.